Why does the Ute OL and DL

[MikeWaters]

always outperform us? Freaking frustrating. It is lack of a mean streak? Not wanting it enough? Inferior skills and athletes?

In the end, it was enough to win. But on the other hand, it almost caused us to lose.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I guess I didn't see it quite that way. It seemed to me that what made the game close was:

a) Excellent game by Ratliff
b) Excellent game by Utah receivers
c) Banged up BYU secondary

We got decent pressure on Ratliff, sacking him a few times. But our defense was on the field way too long due to all of short passes and 3rd down completions by Utah.

I also think that it was unfortunate to have Meickle (sp?) out with an injury. He is usually pretty good at those short routes over the middle when Beck needs a quick outlet when the blitz is on. It seems like we didn't handle the blitz very well in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

[MikeWaters]

If Utah had a decent RB, we would have lost for sure. Utes won the LOS battle.

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

I guess I didn't see it quite that way. It seemed to me that what made the game close was:

a) Excellent game by Ratliff
b) Excellent game by Utah receivers
c) Banged up BYU secondary

We got decent pressure on Ratliff, sacking him a few times. But our defense was on the field way too long due to all of short passes and 3rd down completions by Utah.

I also think that it was unfortunate to have Meickle (sp?) out with an injury. He is usually pretty good at those short routes over the middle when Beck needs a quick outlet when the blitz is on. It seems like we didn't handle the blitz very well in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

I agree. How freaky is it that our starting corners get injured, but try to play, while one of the back ups breaks his leg? How many times did I here that they were taking JRob of the field to re-wrap his dislocated shoulder. That we won despite that makes this victory even sweeter.

[TheSizzle36]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

If Utah had a decent RB, we would have lost for sure. Utes won the LOS battle.

I think I'm going to agree with Mike here. But it wasn't just the OL/DL that was more physical, it was the whole Ute team after BYU's first two drives.

You would watch players, when there was a collision, the pile would almost ALWAYS go the Ute way, until BYU started making their comeback. That right there is effort (IMO)... if you want it more, you dig deep and you deliver the hits, you make the pile go your way, you drive the guy across the ball further. I don't know what happened in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, but in the 4th it seemed like BYU was okay with being a bit physical and started dishing it out as well.

[SteelBlue]

Mike, how can you tell watching on tv? I try to watch the LOS battles, but the camera cuts away before you can really see what's going on. I attributed their offensive success to their beating up of our secondary more than their OL outperforming our DL. But again, it's very difficult for me to see on a TV broadcast.

[tooblue]

Originally Posted by SteelBlue

Mike, how can you tell watching on tv? I try to watch the LOS battles, but the camera cuts away before you can really see what's going on. I attributed their offensive success to their beating up of our secondary more than their OL outperforming our DL. But again, it's very difficult for me to see on a TV broadcast.

I have to agree, I think Mike is offbase. BYU Didn't run the ball because playcalling dictated pass. The scores to get the team back in the game came when Anae decided to run the ball ... The ute D line was blown off the line, they were tired and out muscled in the fourth.

Was Beck sacked? The reality is the O failed to execute in the 2cnd and 3rd -Fui missing a block results in a rush throw. Beck missing Harline up the sideline when he's got two steps on the DB was the biggest key to momentum change.

The BYU D was stout early, definately controled the LOS. Ratliff played out of his head, due in large part to the struggles of our DB's to cover -injuries played significant role. If you had even seen one other Ute game all season you would not BELIEVE how much better Ratliff played in this game.

[Brian]

Originally Posted by tooblue

I have to agree, I think Mike is offbase. BYU Didn't run the ball because playcalling dictated pass. The scores to get the team back in the game came when Anae decided to run the ball ... The ute D line was blown off the line, they were tired and out muscled in the fourth.

Was Beck sacked? The reality is the O failed to execute in the 2cnd and 3rd -Fui missing a block results in a rush throw. Beck missing Harline up the sideline when he's got two steps on the DB was the biggest key to momentum change.

The BYU D was stout early, definately controled the LOS. Ratliff played out of his head, due in large part to the struggles of our DB's to cover -injuries played significant role. If you had even seen one other Ute game all season you would not BELIEVE how much better Ratliff played in this game.

It wasn't all DBs. Ratliff made some incredible passes, threading needles in double coverage. Would have been a different season had Rat played this confidently all year.

[RockyBalboa]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

always outperform us? Freaking frustrating. It is lack of a mean streak? Not wanting it enough? Inferior skills and athletes?

In the end, it was enough to win. But on the other hand, it almost caused us to lose.

Our OL and DL both played stout in my opinion. Both the Y and U lines on both sides had good games. Was a war of attrition.

[tooblue]

And don't forget the BYU receiver wide open, not a defender within 5 yards, folding for a hit and not keeping his feet to get the first down -#2 I think.

That was a huge play deep in our own territory!