May 22, 2004
2004 Utah Schedule
Hmmm, Utah. Here is a school I know very little about. I only have one of their degrees on my wall. With the preseason attention they appear to be drawing, I thought their schedule can also be used to show the plight of the mid-major conferences. I will list their schedule, along with my projected ranking, if Utah remains undefeated after each game.
Preseason: #20
September 2: Texas A&M #17
September 11: at Arizona #15
September 18: at Utah State #14
September 25: Air Force #13
October 2: at New Mexico #11
October 9: BYE #11
October 16: North Carolina #10
October 23: UNLV #10
October 30: at SDSU #9
November 6: CSU #7
November 13: at Wyoming #7
November 20: BYU #6 ( Heck, I could see #3 or 4, maybe here )
The point I am making with the projected rankings is that if you don't start in the top 15, and don't play an SEC, ACC, BIG 10 or BIG 12 conference schedule, you will not get to the BCS championship game. This, more than the money, is why the smaller schools oppose the current BCS system. Sure Utah has a chance at a BCS Bowl invite, but they will never see the title game.
Anyhow, that is all predicated on Utah having a perfect record. Their first two games will be challenging. Utah State and North Carolina should be good wins for Utah. Although I believe Utah is more than capable of defeating all these teams, one loss is not out of the question.
The MWC has shown its self to be a close fought conference. Only one team has ever emerged unscathed at the end of the season. With road games to New Mexico and SDSU, added tough CSU and BYU squads at home, Utah will have to prove they are as good as the hype they are going to get the next few months.
Last year I though Utah would be doing good to go 7-4.
My Prediction: Utah 10-1 ( #12, See you in Memphis )
Comments:
John Schiffer said:
posted on June 26, 2004 12:02 PM — 24.93.185.70 — link — abuse?
One other thought - one of the ways the MAC has gotten attention is mid week games. It seems every week you can see one. It is putting football ahead of academics, but it definitely puts you in the national spotlight. Playing on Saturday puts you against some stiff competition for TV coverage.
posted on July 1, 2004 4:13 PM — 24.214.245.208 — link — abuse?Ben Prather said:
A MAC fan, good to see another mid-major fan. The MAC has done well last year by getting good quality, unexpected, wins. Last year the MAC moved up into the higher teir of the mid-majors.
The MWC is focusing its aim at taking on the PAC 10 to the west and the BIG 12 to the east. CSU plays one of the toughest schedules of and mid-major team. They can do well, and may be one of the best over-looked teams of the year. They may be Utahs best opponent.
The MWC is dedicated to improving its non-conference schedule, and its TV market share, and will be appearing on Thursday night several times this year.
I hope good things for both the MAC and MWC this year. Both are competitive leagues, over looked on the national scale.
posted on October 4, 2004 11:09 PM — 69.73.43.133 — link — abuse?
I have been looking for the right time to link back to this article. It has been earily accurate, more than I had expected at the time.
The only number I would change is the ranking after SDSU should be #8. I might add one to the games after Wyoming. Wyoming is looking stronger than I gave them credit here, and CSU has proved themselves less than my high expectations.
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John Schiffer said:
posted on June 26, 2004 11:39 AM — 24.93.185.70 — link — abuse?The reason a team like Utah wouldn't get much respect with a stellar record is we've all seen this situation too many times. Last year, it was TCU that started off on a long win streak against weak competition. Their fans called for a higher ranking, but in the end the lower ranking is was deserved. You really need to prove yourself against someone proven in order to get that respect. The key is the non-conference schedule. I know that the games are often scheduled far in advance and it's hard to know if your competition will be up or down that year. But look at who they are playing this year (non-conference). The thing that is predictable about A&M, Arizona, and North Carolina is that they have a good year once in a while, but usually not.
The MAC has gotten much respect recently and it's because they are taking on the big name schools in big name conferences. Utah needs a deal maker behind the scenes who can get those kinds of games signed. A team like Miami may be too ambitious of a goal right now (both on and off the field), but teams like Iowa, Clemson, Maryland, Wazzu, Virginia Tech, Auburn or even Nebraska have given shots to "off brand" conference teams and would be an excellent opportunity for a boost in the polls.