Lots and lots of stories. Very little time this morning.
Today is media day for both teams. Expect lots of quote-filled articles tomorrow.
The issue of coaches leaving for other jobs and should they still be coaching in the bowl games. I know I’m biased, but I think there is something of a difference where an assistant will be taking over as head coach (Utah), and where the new head coach wasn’t even decided until this past week (Pitt). The former suggests the departing coach should not, while the latter gives a little more of a rationalization/justification.
Utah seems to be enjoying the role of being the favorite. The defense is talking shutout. Maybe that’s because their star players on defense were originally members of the offense. Heck, even the Utah beat writer seems to be caught up in the idea of blowing out Pitt.
Quarterback Alex Smith has seen the odd alignments, the disguised coverages, and the blitzes from all angles.
And for the last time, probably.
Not only is the Utah junior expected to leave school and turn pro after leading the unbeaten No. 5 Utes against No. 19 Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day, but he does not anticipate seeing from the Panthers any of the complex defensive schemes to which he had grown accustomed in the Mountain West Conference.
Pair that with the fact that Smith has directed the third-most potent offense in the nation – 46.3 points and 520.7 yards per game – and the question becomes pretty obvious:
Can the Utes possibly be stopped?
…
The Utes have won 15 straight games, and withstood all kinds of defensive attacks – from the relatively basic schemes of Texas A&M and North Carolina to the wild blitz packages of New Mexico and BYU. Few of their own players have an idea of how an opposing defensive coordinator might best plan to stop them.
Yes, the Mountain West Conference. Where only 2 other schools finished above .500. Home to the most complex defenses in the country? Funny, looks like most of them are pretty much middle of the pack when compared to the rest of the D-IA schools.
Pitt on the otherhand, seems to be doing fine with the role of underdog. The label isn’t a problem.
Everyone wants to write about the Ute defensive lineman Sione Pouha who has love for Pittsburgh because his Mormon mission was in the Oakland section from 1998-2000. Heck, he was even at the final game at Pitt Stadium. Expect to hear that story Saturday night after his first tackle.
Greg Lee gets a nice piece in the Arizona paper talking about how he stepped up after Larry Fitzgerald left. Puff piece on Palko.
Notebook quick hits: Palko was recruited by Urban Meyer to play Safety at Notre Dame; Pitt’s offensive line coach and “run-game coordinator” will likely go to Stanford with Harris — considering how both have been, well the only response I can think of, is “good”.
That “spider” Rob Petitti encountered. It really was a scorpion.
Joe Starkey sees the potential for a fantastic game.
Where the money goes. The Mountain West is partying this year. Pitt, meanwhile is not reaping as much as expected. Interesting reads if the economics of programs and conferences are of interest to you. Then there is the money the players get — travel expenses and per diem.
Now for the Wannstedt features.
Smizik column on how hard Dave Wannstedt is working on assembling a staff, talking with other coaches, seeking advice, and — because the NCAA gave Pitt and Wannstedt a special waiver — talking to recruits.
H.B. Blades’ dad, Bennie Blades, was a star safety with the Miami Hurricanes and coached by the Defensive Coordinator Dave Wannstedt. Bennie is quite happy to have Wannstedt now in charge. He also would like to see Pitt and his son win the Fiesta Bowl since they blew their shot against Penn State back in ’87.
