July 20, 2009

Meyer: Utah couldn't survive in the SEC

Florida coach Urban Meyer on Utah:

"I know (Utah Senator) Orrin Hatch," Meyer said. "They're doing what they're supposed to do. They're fighting for their team and their state and I can't argue with them. The Utah team (last) year and the Utah team we had in '04, I don't think they can survive the grind of the SEC.

"But there are other conferences out there who can't survive the grind, either. I can't disagree. I don't know if I'm supposed to say that or not. I certainly listen to them because I know them and I know their coach (Kyle Whittingham). To tell me he's not a BCS coach or those aren't BCS players, that's not true."

Given his unique perspective, I can't really argue with Meyer. Utah probably wouldn't survive in the SEC - at least not in year one. Why? Depth.

The amazing Utes team of 2008 had big-time talent on the first string (due in no small part to Meyer's success in 2004, mind you) but the SEC - and most BCS conferences - are all about quality depth. Even your third string SEC guys would be starters at all but the elite mid-majors.

Straight from the coach's mouth.

Comments:

Meyer: Utah couldn't survive in the SEC
Florida coach Urban Meyer on Utah:
"I know (Utah Senator) Orrin Hatch," Meyer said. "They're doing what they're supposed to do. They're fighting for their team and their state and I can't argue with them. The Utah team (last) year and the Utah team we had in '04, I don't think they can survive the grind of the SEC. "But there are other conferences out there who can't survive the grind, either. I can't disagree. I don't know if I'm supposed to say that or not. I certainly listen to them because I know them and I know their coach (Kyle Whittingham). To tell me he's not a BCS coach or those aren't BCS players, that's not true."
Given his unique perspective, I can't really argue with Meyer. Utah probably wouldn't survive in the SEC - at least not in year one. Why? Depth. The amazing Utes team of 2008 had big-time talent on the first string (due in no small part to Meyer's success in 2004, mind you) but the SEC - and most BCS conferences - are all about quality depth. Even your third string SEC guys would be starters at all but the elite mid-majors. Straight from the coach's mouth.