Tale of the Tape: Utah vs. TCU

by Jeremy Mauss on Nov 11, 2009 8:40 PM PST in Mountain West Football

Time to break down the advantages and disadvantages for each school prior to this big matchup Saturday, which for those who do not know is on CBS College Sports and in HD (something The Mtn. is FINALLY doing).

There is no better way then to do a fancy chart comparing the two schools and their coaches. These are all per game stats.

Record	8-1	9-0
Scoring Offense	29.1	37.4
Rushing Offense	186.89	242.11
Passing Offense	224.4	216.4
Scoring Defense	16.4	11.2
Rushing Defense	129.78	89.67
Passing Defense	169.6	150.9
Head to Head	5-1	1-5
Turnover Margin	+.22	+.33
Big Game Coaching*	14-7	16-7

The teams are pretty balanced with the big difference being TCU's rushing offense is over 60 yards better from Utah, and then the TCU rush defense is near tops in the nation at 89 per game. Something will have to give in the rushing game for both teams. Which still makes me wonder why the point spread is so large and currently at 20 points. This game should be

*Big game coaching refers to won-loss record against team from BCS leagues, bowl games, and conference rivals which include Utah, TCU, and BYU, starting from 2005.

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My gut feeling is TCU wins and Utah covers the spread.

TCU will make us one-dimensional on offense and force Wynn, who’s making his first road start, to beat us. I suspect they’ll force him away from Reed as well.

On defense, they’ll likely rely heavily on game film from the Oregon game, when they put up 200+ rushing yards and 31 points.

Utah has a decent TO margin, but we’ve been fortunate in recovering our own fumbles (5 last week, but none were recovered by the Lobos).

St Louis Game Time: Let's Go Blues!
Block U: a blog about the University of Utah
You can find me on the twitter: @achidester

by BoylenOver on Nov 11, 2009 8:48 PM PST reply actions

agreed

As a Utah alum I want the Utes to win and would not be too surprised if Utah wins, but I expect TCU to win by about 10. I will be shocked if its a blowout on either way.

Mountain West Connection

by Jeremy Mauss on Nov 11, 2009 8:55 PM PST up reply actions

great work on the blog, BTW.

I think this is a much better outlet for your analysis and insight in comparison to Bleacher Report.

St Louis Game Time: Let's Go Blues!
Block U: a blog about the University of Utah
You can find me on the twitter: @achidester

by BoylenOver on Nov 11, 2009 8:59 PM PST up reply actions

Why thank you

I have a bunch of good writers to help out the site.

Mountain West Connection

by Jeremy Mauss on Nov 11, 2009 9:01 PM PST up reply actions

One big difference between Oregon and TCU

is that Dalton is not Masoli. Masoli killed us with his speed around the outside, where I don’t see Dalton being able to do it quite as effectively.

Conversely, Dalton is wicked accurate on his throws where Masoli just throws…ducks…

All in all, TCU is welcome to use Oregon film, we almost won that game in the end. It came down to a late drive killing interception by a QB who is not known as a deep threat. I’ll take our chances with Wynn and Brooks. I prefer the way that Wynn spreads the ball around rather than keying on one, maybe two, routes.

I will not be surprised in the slightest to have EW3 get his 7th consecutive 100 yd game and have the Utes leading going into the 4th. All the pressure is on the horny toads and I expect Wynn to remain confident and loose…the kid is a gamer.

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Nov 12, 2009 9:54 AM PST up reply actions

Stupid Mtn

This game needs to be on national broadcast TV not on channel 600 for people who have the deluxe package.

Mountain West Connection ::Above the Rest::
Bolts From The Blue "There’s a gleam men. Let’s go get the gleam! Focus and Finish!!! One play at a time!!! Let's Go!!!"
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by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Nov 11, 2009 9:28 PM PST reply actions