Utah State scrimmage report

[WilliamDuVOL]

USU fans from their message board are pretty confident they win. Some even think they win comfortably.

I think the largest margin of victory I saw one predict was 38-10 USU. Look, don't underestimate this team. They are a good, cohesive unit led by a QB who, IF he's recovered well from injury, is a great player. That being said, I'm not exactly sure he'll be 100% in game one in an incredibly hostile environment after tearing his ACL. Their top RB is also coming off an ACL tear. Most of them are predicting wins by a slight margin (1-3 points), but I think it's kind of foolish for some of them to think they will walk into Neyland and roll us. Our WRs will be a matchup nightmare for their DBs and they readily admit it's our biggest advantage. With remotely consistent QB play they will have serious trouble stopping us from the air. Establishing a running game is CRITICAL as they have statistically, historically (the past three years) specialized in holding teams below their season average for rushing. If our O line opens up holes, Lane and Hurd will go to work and that will keep them honest. Their defense is not like WKU or NC State. It will be a tough test for our young guys. All in all, I think we'll win, but I don't think it will be comfortable.

USU - 17
UT - 24

 

[volgrad500]

This should basically be a glorified scrimmage.

 

[Volz4lif3]

Edit: I get it that it's actually named after popular Mormons, but this is just the first thing that popped in my head.

More like this...... dude was a beast and have great admiration for him after watching the Fearsome Foursome

 

[goldenvol]

I believe their defensive game plan will be to send blitzes from everywhere. They probably understand the talent and speed gaps, but know our O line hasn't had a lot of game experience together. I think they will play aggressive in every call they make. Their linebackers are supposedly the strong point of the defense, so I expect them to use them to their advantage.

 

[Recoil]

I'm most excited to see the difference in our team speed this year compared to last. We'll know pretty early if that component plays a big factor in the game. It's pretty hard to simulate and prepare for 6'3" 215lb WRs who run 4.4s.

 

[orangeluvr]

What? No mention of the season opener with Tennessee.
USU is overlooking the Vols……. ost-4-1090547912:

 

[gnm53108]

Beat. Down.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

Our secondary goes against our WR's everyday in practice, so I am not concerned about containing their WR's.

 

[xpsyclonex2002]

If this game were in Utah, I would give tgem a chance to play us tough. But with this being a home game, they are going to be shell suocked by thecstadium and atmosphere. We are going to be high on adrenaline and are going to be faster than they can simulate in practice. I think Chucky scrambles the whole game and is their only real source of yardage. He runs for over 100 but we end up killing them. We win by at least 14 because Butch starts rotating in fresh faces as the game outcome becomes clear.

 

[miggy4vols]

Our WRs are in trouble. They have Daniel, or as they like to call him Danny, Gray! Those hips gonna shut us down!

 

[Grand Vol]

USU fans from their message board are pretty confident they win. Some even think they win comfortably.

Homerism like we do. But I don't see a lot of reasoning behind the scores they post. A couple, but WAGs for the most part.

But they don't appear to be that arrogant unlike some fan bases. So it's helpful.

 

[Power T-Rev]

Sutton and Moseley are going to shine in the secondary. Lock down performance

 

[DownTheField]

In the past three seasons, Utah State has played four "big time" away games. The good news is they lost all four. The bad news is they lost them by 4, 3, 2, and 4 points. One of those was a loss at Auburn by 4 points.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

In the past three seasons, Utah State has played four "big time" away games. The good news is they lost all four. The bad news is they lost them by 4, 3, 2, and 4 points. One of those was a loss at Auburn by 4 points.

and that was a horrible AU team post Cam/Malzhan. That AU team went 8-5 that year with a pretty soft schedule. Plus this USU team has different players and different coaches. They have at least 3 first year position coaches.

 

[ImportedVoL]

The talent difference alone would win us this game, but then add in the humidity and Neyland stadium. They will have rookie DB's going against one of the best WR rosters we have ever had and that they will be vastly undersized.

It all adds up to be UT man-handling Utah for an easy win.

 

[DuckinVol]

It was difficult, but I managed to read their message board and not register and respond. Most of the posters favor USU, and that's understandable from a fan's perspective, but a couple of them are beyond delusional. Statements like "USU has a better defense on paper and field than Florida" are difficult to ignore. Further statements that they have superior players to UT at virtually every position just blew me away.

It appears the average fan on either side won't be surprised by a fairly close game, and I can understand the reasoning. That said, if this game is a blowout it won't be the USU side cheering.

 

[JRVFL]

Our secondary goes against our WR's everyday in practice, so I am not concerned about containing their WR's.

Their #1 returning receiver: Jo Jo Natson (5-7, 151)

 

[DL916]

They'll beat us and we'll beat Bama, c'mon man.

 

[General Jack]

If we can run the ball effectively we win. If they stop us cold and we have to throw to win... All bets are off.

 

[Davpmars]

It's interesting you think the geographical location of the stadium will be an advantage for the Vols. Olympic runners train in the Rocky Mountains to train their lungs to perform even in low oxygen levels so that when they run in lower elevations they can go twice as far. Every time I visit TN it amazes me how easy it is to run 5 miles.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

It's interesting you think the geographical location of the stadium will be an advantage for the Vols. Olympic runners train in the Rocky Mountains to train their lungs to perform even in low oxygen levels so that when they run in lower elevations they can go twice as far. Every time I visit TN it amazes me how easy it is to run 5 miles.

Jason Bourne?

 

[Power T-Rev]

It's interesting you think the geographical location of the stadium will be an advantage for the Vols. Olympic runners train in the Rocky Mountains to train their lungs to perform even in low oxygen levels so that when they run in lower elevations they can go twice as far. Every time I visit TN it amazes me how easy it is to run 5 miles.

Then why do so many players have trouble cramping when they play in southeastern venues? Humidity and dehydration play a factor

 

[turdherder11]

Then why do so many players have trouble cramping when they play in southeastern venues? Humidity and dehydration play a factor

Huge factor, anyone who says otherwise has never experienced it. I don't care what they say. Humidity sucks and it sucks in north ala too.

 

[DownTheField]

and that was a horrible AU team post Cam/Malzhan. That AU team went 8-5 that year with a pretty soft schedule. Plus this USU team has different players and different coaches. They have at least 3 first year position coaches.

I don't think we have the luxury at the moment to hang our hats on "that was a horrible AU team"

 

[Boogie]

I think the key stat here is the fact that their CORNERBACKS led the team in tackles. That’s a great sign for us. If we can get the ball to the outside and spread the middle of the Defense we have a chance to break their spirit.

I wish I could be there for the home opener but I’m stuck in Chicago. From one VFL to another, please make Neyland deafening!!! That’s a huge advantage.

They think they’re prepared for the noise – but when they run into Neyland with 100,000+ VFLs screaming – they’re going to feel like they just ran into the Roman Coliseum. Slaughter time.