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03 September 2010
Utah Routs Pitt 27-24 (OT)?
Although it was a sensational game that went into overtime. Don't let the scoreboard, or the sportscasters fool you. Utah stomped Pittsburgh..... but they almost lost to themselves.
Jordan Wynn went 21/36 with 283 yards and 3 touchdowns. The rushing attack produced another 122 yards for a total of 405 on offense. Pittsburgh as a whole, didn't even match Wynn, finishing with 266 total yards. Their offense was completely stuffed and the widely loved Lewis had no answer to the Utah defensive front. The most productive Pitt ever looked this game was when it gave up on the run and started throwing the ball downfield.
But how was it as close of a game as it turned out to be? The answer is turnovers. Utah committed 2 turnovers on punts within their own red zone and threw another interception. I may be mistaken but I believe another special teams mistake resulted in a blocked punt. If Utah had decided it wasn't going to play special teams and have no one back to return punts. Pittsburgh would have been blown out.
The real tragedy however is the flaw in the preseason polls. How does Pittsburgh slide into the 15th preseason spot and Utah get overlooked? Sure the voters will have this game in mind when they go to make next week's rankings but can the Utes expect to be playing for it all when they begin their season unranked in a non-bcs conference? Of course not. For most, "its all for not" in this league and the biggest effect you can have on college football is ruining another team's dreams. But we understand Utah, misery loves company. Pittsburgh, you're welcome.
