Well, we have finally arrived. The College Football season is upon us. After all the waiting we were graciously rewarded with some brutal blow outs and no surprises, but it still felt great watching football. Lets look at the Pac 12 games from last night.
Montana State 10, Utah 27
When the Utah Utes signed up the Montana State Bobcats I am sure they were not expecting much of a game. Especially since the Bobcats are breaking in a new offensive line. Therefore, they got exactly what the score board dictated. Or did they?
What did we learn about Utah?
Well obviously they had a great game plan and executed it to perfection. They blistered a quick 17 points on the score board and they Jordan Wynn sat for the rest of the game and that explains the scoring stall. Not exactly. On Utah's first series they went three and out. They had great field position after an interception and Wynn drove them down the final 8 yards to score. They put together a 62 yard drive on the their third possession thanks to some great running. On their fourth third possession of the quarter they got the ball on the Montana State 15 after a blocked punt. The result was a 37 yard field goal because they went 3 and out losing five yards. Not exactly blistering 17 points, but taking advantage of MSU's mistakes.
The rest of the game the Utes were only able to put together one scoring drive. (The second field goal was the result of a 70 yard kick off return) Sure a win is a win and from a Cougfan it is obvious that MSU can be a tough opponent. However, I like to think that if Utah was as young as the Cougs were last year it is very possible the result would have been identical. The Utes have a highly touted veteran QB, O-Line, WR's, ect. If this game is indicative of their Pac 12 run I have a bad feeling the Utes are going to have a long year in the Pac.
Quick Stats from the game
Utah Total Yards : 292 yards
Utah Longest Drive: 62 yards
Passing Yards: 101 yards
Rushing Yards: 191 yards
Total Yards Against: 258
ASU 48, UC Davis 14
Arizona State played like a Pac 12 team playing an inferior opponent. They came out, hit them in the mouth, hit on their sister, and then played some football.
What did we learn about ASU?
Well, you can always learn more from close games than blow outs. Therefore, we learned that ASU was able to start the season by living up to the expectations that have been set for them. They just took care of business. Or did they? ASU scored easily on their first three possessions but then came the funny farm. On a minor 4 and 2 on the the UC Davis 26 ASU attempts to pass the ball instead of just running it for the first down against an inferior line. The result was a turnover on downs. On their next possession they squandered a good drive by fumbling the football. Next offensive possession resulted in an interception. Then they finally got it together and finished the game strong.
While ASU may look good on paper, they sure played like the classically coached Dennis Erickson Sun Devils. Loads of talent, lack of discipline. It will be interesting to see how they match up against Pac 12 talent. Only against UC Davis can you afford to lose possession on downs, lose possession on a fumble, get a field goal, and then throw an interception on consecutive drives and win by 38 points.
Quick States
ASU Total Yards : 517 yards
ASULongest Drive: 81 yards
Passing Yards: 300 yards
Rushing Yards: 191 yards
Total Yards Against: 243
That's it for last night's recap. Crimson Kool Aid predictions coming up later today.
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