UT vs USU article

#1
M

Madmartigan

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2014
Messages
187
Likes
0
#1
College Football Week 1 Predictions: Utah State Aggies vs. Tennessee Volunteers | Maddux Sports

This from a betting site, but a few interesting stats I thought, to summarize:

-Tennessee has won an astounding 19 straight home openers
-USU has lost 16 consecutive road openers (ouch)
-Tennessee has not had more than 100 k to a home opener since 2007 (I think this changes in 2014)

Overall Tennessee fans should feel confident in the outcome of this game. I think it will come down to your Wide Outs. If Worley can get them the ball, Utah State is screwed as we don't have the athletes to have a track meet with Tennessee. If it's more of a defensive struggle, things could get very interesting.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 8 people
#2
#2
This is going to be an interesting game for both teams, so many unanswered questions....Has there been any word on how Keeton has been doing in practice/spring game since his injury?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#3
#3
Utah State is one of the smaller schools I've always enjoyed watching. They have always been able to keep some of the big boy teams nervous for a few quarters. I for one don't think this game is a push over. Could be tight or a blow out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#4
#4
cwbytruckers said:
Utah State is one of the smaller schools I've always enjoyed watching. They have always been able to keep some of the big boy teams nervous for a few quarters. I for one don't think this game is a push over. Could be tight or a blow out.
Click to expand...

I know very little about Utah state, but I really hope it is a blow out.
 
#5
#5
BennisDrewer said:
This is going to be an interesting game for both teams, so many unanswered questions....Has there been any word on how Keeton has been doing in practice/spring game since his injury?
Click to expand...

This^^ both teams have so many unanswered questions at a lot of positions, going to be an interesting game to say the least for both teams.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#6
#6
BennisDrewer said:
This is going to be an interesting game for both teams, so many unanswered questions....Has there been any word on how Keeton has been doing in practice/spring game since his injury?
Click to expand...

Keeton is ahead of schedule per him and the coaches with the rehab. He was cleared back in April. I don't know from experience but I'm told an ACL is more of a mental thing than anything else. It's harder to trust a cut when the ligament responsible for explosive movement has been bum for six months.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#7
#7
Madmartigan said:
College Football Week 1 Predictions: Utah State Aggies vs. Tennessee Volunteers | Maddux Sports

This from a betting site, but a few interesting stats I thought, to summarize:

-Tennessee has won an astounding 19 straight openers
-USU has lost 16 consecutive road openers (ouch)
-Tennessee has not had more than 100 k to a home opener since 2007 (I think this changes in 2014)

Overall Tennessee fans should feel confident in the outcome of this game. I think it will come down to your Wide Outs. If Worley can get them the ball, Utah State is screwed as we don't have the athletes to have a track meet with Tennessee. If it's more of a defensive struggle, things could get very interesting.
Click to expand...

I'm on record as saying it'll be a close game. Odd to tag an opening game as a "must win", but I think it is the type of game that could propel the winner towards a big season.

Edit: And by the way Mad, it has been awesome seeing you on the VolNation boards interacting with us UT fans. You've really added a lot to the conversation.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#8
#8
Madmartigan said:
College Football Week 1 Predictions: Utah State Aggies vs. Tennessee Volunteers | Maddux Sports

This from a betting site, but a few interesting stats I thought, to summarize:

-Tennessee has won an astounding 19 straight openers
-USU has lost 16 consecutive road openers (ouch)
-Tennessee has not had more than 100 k to a home opener since 2007 (I think this changes in 2014)

Overall Tennessee fans should feel confident in the outcome of this game. I think it will come down to your Wide Outs. If Worley can get them the ball, Utah State is screwed as we don't have the athletes to have a track meet with Tennessee. If it's more of a defensive struggle, things could get very interesting.
Click to expand...
Haven't read the link yet, but I bet this is supposed to say "home openers". We lost at UCLA a few years ago, I was there.
 
#9
#9
bigorange said:
Haven't read the link yet, but I bet this is supposed to say "home openers". We lost at UCLA a few years ago, I was there.
Click to expand...

Probably did mean "home openers", but in fairness, we haven't lost an opener outside the state of California since 1988.
 
#12
#12
Madmartigan said:
College Football Week 1 Predictions: Utah State Aggies vs. Tennessee Volunteers | Maddux Sports

This from a betting site, but a few interesting stats I thought, to summarize:

-Tennessee has won an astounding 19 straight home openers
-USU has lost 16 consecutive road openers (ouch)
-Tennessee has not had more than 100 k to a home opener since 2007 (I think this changes in 2014)

Overall Tennessee fans should feel confident in the outcome of this game. I think it will come down to your Wide Outs. If Worley can get them the ball, Utah State is screwed as we don't have the athletes to have a track meet with Tennessee. If it's more of a defensive struggle, things could get very interesting.
Click to expand...
:good!:

I know I probably didn't use a lot of tact when pushing this angle at you guys... but thanks for being open minded.

I agree that UT's best hope for separating from USU is that WR v DB match up. USU's best hope of keeping it tight or stealing one is to somehow nullify that UT advantage. It will probably involve taking lots of chances to get pressure on Worley and to jam WR's to throw off timing. The risk of course is that if a WR gets by... then it becomes a track meet. Your CB's will probably have a difficult time but your S's may have it even worse. UT will try to isolate them on WR's and SB's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#13
#13
I also have a theory, and I suppose it depends on which side of the ball you're on, that there's a possibility the coaches may try to hold Keeton back a little for this one. Yes it would be a huge victory for them to beat us at home, but beating us doesn't help them win their conference. I wonder if that will factor into their usage of playbook and Keeton's choices to risk getting leveled by say, AJ Johnson and friends.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#14
#14
Madmartigan said:
Keeton is ahead of schedule per him and the coaches with the rehab. He was cleared back in April. I don't know from experience but I'm told an ACL is more of a mental thing than anything else. It's harder to trust a cut when the ligament responsible for explosive movement has been bum for six months.
Click to expand...

Best opposing team fan ever! Go madmartigan!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#15
#15
WilliamDuVOL said:
I also have a theory, and I suppose it depends on which side of the ball you're on, that there's a possibility the coaches may try to hold Keeton back a little for this one. Yes it would be a huge victory for them to beat us at home, but beating us doesn't help them win their conference. I wonder if that will factor into their usage of playbook and Keeton's choices to risk getting leveled by say, AJ Johnson and friends.
Click to expand...

There's those old cliches "Play to win every game" "every down counts" but Coach Wells (USU head Coach) maybe thinking this very thing that you've mentioned. I think the strategy for the whole season is keep Keeton healthy. Chuckie Keeton at 80-90% quarterback is still a better QB than most QBs out there. But then he can't make plays like this:

Chuckie Keeton 1st down without shoe- Utah State at Utah - YouTube
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#16
#16
Madmartigan said:
There's those old cliches "Play to win every game" "every down counts" but Coach Wells (USU head Coach) maybe thinking this very thing that you've mentioned. I think the strategy for the whole season is keep Keeton healthy. Chuckie Keeton at 80-90% quarterback is still a better QB than most QBs out there. But then he can't make plays like this:

Chuckie Keeton 1st down without shoe- Utah State at Utah - YouTube
Click to expand...

Haha nice. Maybe it's just me trying to wrap my head around this game due to all the questions and think strategically, but if I were in the coaches position I'd save my QB for games that were sure wins and conference rivalries.
 
#17
#17
WilliamDuVOL said:
Haha nice. Maybe it's just me trying to wrap my head around this game due to all the questions and think strategically, but if I were in the coaches position I'd save my QB for games that were sure wins and conference rivalries.
Click to expand...

As has been mentioned ad nauseum, we play a pretty weak schedule. Even without Keeton we still are good for 6 wins. We really need him for our tougher games: Tennessee, BYU, Boise State.
 
#19
#19
sjt18 said:
:good!:

I know I probably didn't use a lot of tact when pushing this angle at you guys... but thanks for being open minded.

I agree that UT's best hope for separating from USU is that WR v DB match up. USU's best hope of keeping it tight or stealing one is to somehow nullify that UT advantage. It will probably involve taking lots of chances to get pressure on Worley and to jam WR's to throw off timing. The risk of course is that if a WR gets by... then it becomes a track meet. Your CB's will probably have a difficult time but your S's may have it even worse. UT will try to isolate them on WR's and SB's.
Click to expand...
Checkdowns to TE's may be the key for Worley.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 people
#20
#20
Madmartigan said:
As has been mentioned ad nauseum, we play a pretty weak schedule. Even without Keeton we still are good for 6 wins. We really need him for our tougher games: Tennessee, BYU, Boise State.
Click to expand...

True, even if somehow you lose us and those two (I'll definitely be pulling for you guys vs. BYU and Boise), you still can easily win every other game you play this season easily I believe.
 
#21
#21
Need a huge performance in prime time..... here is to hoping we win big.... 14 plus would go miles to invigorate the amount of youth on this team
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#24
#24
Lane. Marlin. Senior. Statement. I really think the run game will be potent against USU's backers. They are good but not good enough to keep Lane from his 5.6 yard average. I would love to see our WR's have a hay day but think it's more important to see our RB's run against a proven LB corp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#25
#25
IMO if we handle Keeton it'll be an easy win. Our receivers are too athletic for their secondary
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top