It is so hard for me to root for Utah. I find myself rooting for the other team every game - I have cheered for Utah only a couple of times (BCS, but barely, and bball in the chamionship game).

Even though I would like all teams to beat Utah all over the field, I realize that it isn't going to happen much. My idea of a great weekend is for BYU to beat a great team, and Utah to lose to a bad team! September 22nd, 2007 was beatiful! BYU tops AF 31-6, and Utah loses to UNLV 0-27!!!

I really try to pick all games realistically though, so you won't find me predicting any 50 - 0 losses for the Utes.

I think it mainly comes down to making sure we have a better record by the end of the year. I like to see them lose in conference games, so that we have the edge, and then I like to see them lose OOC games because it makes them look good. I understand the logic of wanting to make the conference look good, but I still find myself cheering for their opponents!

MesaCougFan wrote:

I think that Utah is the better team, but there is no way that they go into the Big House and pull out a win. If they keep it close, that says loads about their team this year.

1. Rich Rodriguez' debut. Michigan paid millions to get him out of his contract at W.V. He knows that if he doesn't produce immediately, he will be on a hot seat.
2. Utah in Michigan's eyes = Appalachain State. Will Michigan overlook a seemingly lesser opponent, on opening day, just 1 year removed from that debauchle? I really don't think so. Utah is on everybody's radar (they aren't sneaking under Michigan's) right now as a potential BCS buster.
3. Michigan is not re-building. They have a top-5 recruiting class every year. They are a good team.
4. Home field & a 3-hour time change are a significan advantage. I was at the last game the U played in Ann Arbor & was surprised how close they kept it, but Michigan never relinquished control of the game, and the outcome was never in jeopardy.

I despise Michigan more than I despise the Utes, and I still say Michigan wins, and probably wins convincingly.

I agree with several of your points, but have a hard time believing others. For the sake of the MWC, I hope Utah hangs tough with Michigan. this game is huge for the MWC to gain credibility and if Utah gets blown out this only hurts BYU if they go undefeated. A Utah win helps no matter how down Michigan is, just like Navy beating ND last year when that was not an upset.

1- Your assertion about Rodriguez (RR) being on the hotseat if they lose can be said about multiple top tier programs. No matter how hard works Michigan that does not make them more likely to win. RR knows there will be HUGE growing pains and he has openly tried to keep expectaions in line for 2008.

2- You have a point, but Utah is definitely looked upon as a MWC team and the the conotation around that is that they are a level lower. Michigan's fans perception is that they should win easily, at least those I have spoken with. I have been in NYC the better part of 2 weeks and talked a lot of BYU, MWC, and ND football. The perception is Michigan should win easily, not sure if the football team believes it or not.

3- Michigan is RE-BUILDING, without a doubt. You lose your QB, RB, top WR, and OL (#1 pick in the draft); and on top of that have a new coach with a completely new system. The QB's that could play are not built for the new system and are a freshman and former walk-on. They may have talent but the talent was built for another system, and despite your comments about them having top 5 recruiting classes this is not the case. The last 3 recruiting classes rank #10, #12, and #13, not bad but not top 5 and even worse is they are built for a different system. Michigan will get much better as they adjust, but Utah plays them game number one and could take advantage. For Utah's sake they could not be playing Michigan at a better time of the year.

4- Time change should make zero difference. The game is what 3:30 pm eastern, 1:30 pm mountain....Utah has probably been practicing at these times for a while. I can understand home field, but time zones should play little factor. This is not a midnight mountain kick-off in Hawaii, they are going to Ann Arbor not Beriut.

I dislike Utah and Michigan both for obvious reasons; so this is a tough choice. I believe a Utah win helps the MWC and BYU.....I am just glad I am not in Utah to hear Yewt fans if they win. I do agree with your Big Ten comments, I dislike the overated Big Ten...I still dislike the Yewts more but this could help BYU.

It will be a close game, with each team scoring in the mid-teens. Michigan's offense will struggle, new system with young QB's and a lot of holes to fill. This could go either way and will be very close.

AF_Puma wrote:

I too, like MesaBuckeye, hate Michigan about the same as Utah. It's really hard to tell which is more despised in my mind as I grew up an Ohio State fan (born and raised in Ohio - what else would you expect?). But I've always been faithful to my team(s) first and conferences second. Though a lot don't agree, I support all MWC teams in their NC games despite my dislike of those teams individually. I see it as a normal process in wanting my conference to be the best so that when we win again it means more.

Michigan 20 Utah 17

This sums up my thoughts perfectly. That being said, I still find it extremely hard to root for Utah. I want the conference to do well, but as much as I want that, it goes against most of what I believe to cheer for the yewts.

If I remember correctly, Michigan is returning 8 or 9 of its defensive starters from last season, which doesn't bode well for Utah in my opinion. Michigan will have much better athletes overall, even the inexperienced ones, then the Utes will have. Even though I dislike the Utes, my prediction is not based on dislike at all, but on the athletes that will take the field. Sakoda will keep them in the game with three field goals, but that will be about it.

Michigan 24 Utah 1

sorry, that was supposed to be 16, not one.

cougarzz wrote:

If I remember correctly, Michigan is returning 8 or 9 of its defensive starters from last season, which doesn't bode well for Utah in my opinion. Michigan will have much better athletes overall, even the inexperienced ones, then the Utes will have. Even though I dislike the Utes, my prediction is not based on dislike at all, but on the athletes that will take the field. Sakoda will keep them in the game with three field goals, but that will be about it.

Michigan 24 Utah 1

I like this score better.