Every Jazz game this year David Locke will be keeping a live blog with analysis and breakdowns.
Put any questions in on the comment zone and I will get to them during the live blog.

HIT REFRESH AND THE LATEST UPDATE WILL BE ON TOP.

JAZZ ARE WITHOUT BOOZER AND OKUR

FINAL SCORE -- JAZZ 120 LAKERS 96
This outcome was the farthest from my mind when I found out Carlos and Memo were out.
What a great testament to effort and playing the game the right way. 
Everyone was fantastic. 
Williams owned the 2nd with 18 and the 3rd with 12
AK was brilliant -- 20-11-11 and had 6 steals and 4 blocks.
Milsap finished with 20-9
This was a fun night -- come out Monday to see Wade and Shaq.

4:55 4th Quarter -- Jazz 111 Lakers 90
AK got his 3rd career triple double.

5:56 4th Quarter -- Jazz 109 Lakers 90
AK is one rebound short of a triple double.  He is one block short of 5 - 5's.
AK just had the sweetest block Lakers rookie Javaris Crittenton tried to go behind his back on AK on  a fast break and AK pinned his shot on the glass.
Fesenko got cut during his second stint.
The Jazz are terrific as an entire unit tonight.
Lamar Odom is putting out the most minimal amount of effort possible. 

End of 3rd Quarter -- Jazz 102 Lakers 82
Jazz hold the lead
D-WIll is crushing whoever guards him -- 30 points on 12 of 20 shooting.
Milsap is playing very very well taking advantage of the time on the floor
AK is unreal tonight -- 18 points; 7 rebounds and 9 assists.  Plus he has 5 steals.
Some 7 year old just did a drum solo at the quarter break and the crowd went nuts.  What a night.
A Brilliant performance.

6:40 3rd Quarter  -- Jazz 87 Lakers 60
Nothing like a 13-0 run to go up 28
Lakers came out fast but the Jazz answered in big time fashion.
Lamar Odom is sleep walking through the game.  Phil just ripped him on the way to the bench,
AK is playing Kobe tough and so is Brewer.  Plus, Kobe is getting no help.
Jarron Collins set a great pick to open up Milsap for a 15 footer.  Milsap has 16 points

Halftime -- Jazz 70 Lakers 51
Wow !!! This is remarkable.
Jazz scored on the first 9 possessions of the quarter and 12 of the first 13
Deron 15 points 2nd quarter -- 18 in the game
AK has been great -- 13 pts; 5 rebs; 6 ass and 3 steals and 2 blocks
Kobe starting going nuts 12 points on 4 possessions then the Jazz doubled him everytime he got the ball.
Jazz are shooting 58%
top to bottom they have been great. 
The defense took the Lakers completely out of the Triangle
Fesenko played very well -- 6 points, 6 rebounds



8:31 2nd Quarter -- Jazz 41 Lakers 29
Fesenko played 4 solid minutes until he got two fouls
AK just hit a three and the crowd went nuts
Jazz continue to play the game correctly.
CJ Miles enters instead of Giricek.

End of 1st Quarter -- Jazz 30 Lakers 22
Huge ovation for the Jazz from the crowd
Fesenko was the fist player off the bench and he scored two buckets, one on a dunk on a gorgeous feed from AK.
This reminds me of the post Stockton-Malone teams.
The energy is great.  The execution is better.
Kobe tried to bring the Lakers back by himself near the end of the quarter.
Jazz defense was very solid.
AK was fantastic on both ends of the floor.
Collins played great defense in his time on the floor.



6:21 1st Quarter -- Jazz 10 Lakers  8
Great energy for the Jazz early.
AK hits a jumper from the corner and great hustle on defense
Jazz are executing on offense and getting good looks

BREAKING NEWS -- Memo Okur and Carlos Boozer are inactive for the Jazz

Keys to the Game
1. Score points somehow without Carlos and Memo
2. Keep the game in the halfcourt
3. Maintain turnovers

STARTING LINE-UPS
Jazz:  Deron, Ronnie, AK, Milsap and Collins
Lakers:   Derek Fischer, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Vladmir Radmanovic, Andrew Bynum

STATS -- 2007-08 SEASON
Note: Efficiency Stats are based on possession.  Therefore, equalizing for pace of play.  Efficiency rankings are based upon 100 possessions.   Example: The Jazz average 111.1 pts per 100 possessions

Pace:  Jazz 94.4  possessions per game (7th in NBA)  Lakers   95.6  (6th in the NBA)
Offensive  Efficiency:  Jazz 111.2  (3th  in NBA)  Lakers 111.9 (5th in the NBA)
Defensive Efficiency:  Jazz 104.2  (8th in NBA)  Lakers 104.9     (11th in the NBA)
Jazz Defensive Glass:   Jazz Def Reb % - 73%  (20th in NBA)  Lakers Off Reb % - 27.3% (13th)
Sixers Defensive Glass:   Jazz Off Reb % - 74.4% (10th in NBA)  Sixers Def Reb % -72% (11th)


Officials
Joe Mauer, Steve Wall, Zack Zarba

Carlos Boozer and Memo Okur are both inactive for the Utah Jazz tonight.
Kyrylo Fesenko has been recalled from the Utah Flash and is active.
Paul Milsap and Jarron Collins will start.

Deron Williams joined Locke before the game in Philly.  He shared his thoughts on the loss in New York, the play of Ronnie Brewer, the Sean Taylor situation and travel in the NBA.

Click here to hear the interview.

Listen to the conversation with David Locke and the Jazz owner Larry H. Miller on Thursday's Fab 5 at 5.

DJ and PK talk to the CCommissioner about the state of the league and the NBA's international focus. Listen to it here!!!

The Utah Jazz defeated Philadelphia on Wednesday night at the Wachovia Center and David Locke as well as coach Tom Nissalke had separate opinions as to the quality of win that the Jazz obtained, they recap the road trip and set the table for a showdown on Friday night with the Lakers.  David Locke leads you up to tip and takes your phone calls after every game on 1320 KFAN the sports leader.

It wasn't pretty, but Jim Boylen is smiling.  What brings a smile to this ever demanding head coach of the University of Utah, he saw improvement.  Coach Boylen is always preaching to his players that defense is the key, and demands improvement in each outing.

He saw his team, hold the Weber State Wildcats to just 36.4% shooting (only 31.8% in the first half), and caused the Wildcats to turn the ball over 18 times.  Thoughout the game the Utes frustrated Weber State not allowing them to get into any semblance of their offense. Throughout the game Boylen could be seen down in a defensive stance encouraging his team to continue the energy on the defensive side.

While the defense was good, the offense struggled..at least in the first part of the game.  At one point in the first half the Utes trailed 16 - 4, but then the tide shifted.  Sean Green caught fire from outside the 3 point arch and he was hot.  Green hit on 5 of 8 from three in the first half and single handedly brought the Utes back into the game.  His three from just short of half court at the first half buzzer gave the Utes the 27 - 21 halftime lead, and the Utes ended the half on a 23 - 5 run.

From the day he introduced his team to the media, Coach Boylen has asked for his big Aussie center, Luke Nevill to grow up and be accounted for.  In the second half, it was clear the coach was going to force feed the big man underneath to get him jump started.  In the first half, Nevill was 1 for 5 and struggled against a much smaller Wildcat center in Steve Panos.  In the second half, Nevill was 7 for 11 and finished the game with 16 as he out muscled and out finessed the smaller man, getting Panos into early foul trouble in the second half.

Now what?  The Utes looked fantastic in the second half of the game shooting 72%, and ran away  from Weber State.  The offense couldn't miss, and the defense continued to frustrate.  Coach Boylen said before the game that he was glad now because he had some game tape to look at and see what his team has improved on, and what they needed to continue to improve on.  He can throw all that tape out and just look at this game.  When the Utes move the ball, and when the big man is active the Utes are good (see 2nd half, and the Washington game).  When they don't, they are very average (see early first half, and Santa Clara game).  After the game, go figure, Boylen said the team still had a ways to go.

Next up, UC Irvine.  Saturday at the Huntsman Center.

If you have questions you would like me to ask Larry H. Miller at 5 pm on Thursday please submit them in the comment section.  Thanks.

Locke

After each game David Locke publishes his Utah Jazz stat Spread Sheet. 

Click here to download the Excel Sheet.

MIAMI DOLPHINS QUARTERBACK JOHN BECK

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

 

Every Jazz game this year David Locke will be keeping a live blog with analysis and breakdowns.
Put any questions in on the comment zone and I will get to them during the live blog.

HIT REFRESH AND THE LATEST UPDATE WILL BE ON TOP.

FINAL SCORE -- JAZZ 106 SIXERS 95
Professional win tonight.   Gives the Jazz a 2-1 trip and a 5-4 road record
Most of this game was in the half court
Defensive Rebounding would be the only concern
Boozer and Williams were obviously the best players on the floor
D-Will 12 assists and 1 turnover in a game that was almost all half court is strong
Starters were dominant tonight, the bench added very little.

5:50 4th Quarter -- Jazz 91 Sixers 84
Sixers are staying just close enough to capitalize on a bad stretch
Jazz have had to play a lot of zone because of Philly's line-ups
Jason Hart in as the 2 rather than Ronnie Price
The pick n roll will work every time
Defensive Rebounding is a big issue for Utah.

End of 3rd Quarter -- Jazz 77 Sixers 68
Brewer having a nice game.
Philly's Willie Green is really awful.  If I coached he would never play.  Louis williams should get his mintues.
Hart hit two jumpers.
Okur out with an injury to his back

2:58 3rd Quarter -- Jazz 69 Sixers 58
Everything is in the half court.  Jazz don't have a single transition bucket this half.
Okur is playing better
Brewer moves without the ball fantastically for a young player
The bench rotation is starting.  It was dreadful in the first half, how will it be this time?

8:49 3rd Quarter -- Jazz 59 Sixers 46
Boom.  Great start.
Everything is in the half court but  the Jazz are executing well.
Defensive rebounding is still an issue.
Dalembert is out with 4 fouls so it is free roads to the bucket.
Jazz have scored on all 5 possessions.

Hafltime -- Jazz 49 Sixers 44
nice work by the starters they entered it was 37-38.
Boozer turned his ankle late in the quarter
The game is almost exclusively half court.
The pick and roll is still unstoppable.   The Sixers are putting subtle pressure on the Jazz to slow them down in the half court.
I actually am impressed a little by how Philly is approaching the game, they are running sets, they are getting mismatches, they are backdooring, defensively they are playing as a unit. 
Jason Smith might be ok as well.

5:6 2nd Quarter --  Sixers 36 Jazz 35
Amazingly sloppy game.  Really ugly.  I mean U-G-L-Y you don't have no .....
Jazz bench gave them nothing.  You have to get something from the bench on the 3rd game in 4 nights.
They were really poor.  In 12 offensive possessions the Jazz had 1 field goal with the bench on the floor.  Two other trips went to the free throw line.  Otherwise really bad
The defense was decent so the Jazz stayed in the game.
Starters are back in.

End of 1st Quarter - Sixers 27 Jazz 25
Slow paced game thus far.   Jazz shouldn't be allowing 27 points a quarter in a slow paced game.
Reggie Evans got Carlos Boozer with a flop and Boozer has 2 fouls again.
Foul trouble caused the Jazz the Knicks game. 
Milsap will need to link another good game. 

2:45 1st Quarter -- Jazz 25 Sixers 25
Game of runs.  Jazz opened 11-2. Sixers followed with 16-2.  Jazz then went 6-0.
Sixers scored on 10 straight possessions at one point
Okur has eight.  He has been going to the basket.
Sixers can't guard the pick n roll.

Keys to the Game
1. Defensive Rebounding
2. Make Philly work on offense
3.  Ronnie Brewer bounce back

STARTING LINE-UPS
Jazz:  Deron, Ronnie, AK, Boozer and Okur
Sixers,  Andre Miller, Willie Green, Igudola, Reggie Evans and Samuel Dalembert

STATS -- 2007-08 SEASON
Note: Efficiency Stats are based on possession.  Therefore, equalizing for pace of play.  Efficiency rankings are based upon 100 possessions.   Example: The Jazz average 111.1 pts per 100 possessions

Pace:  Jazz 97.9  possessions per game (7th in NBA)  Sixers   89.1  (26th in the NBA)
Offensive  Efficiency:  Jazz 111.4  (5th  in NBA)  Sixers 102.2 (24th in the NBA)
Defensive Efficiency:  Jazz 104.0  (7th in NBA)  Sixers 104.9     (11th in the NBA)
Jazz Defensive Glass:   Jazz Def Reb % - 73%  (19th in NBA)  Sixers Off Reb % - 32.1% (1st)
Sixers Defensive Glass:   Jazz Off Reb % - 30% (6th in NBA)  Sixers Def Reb % -72% (11th)


Officials
Joe Forte, Phil Robinson, Mike Smith

PK defends the journalistic integrity of two retiring TV anchors. Listen to it here!!!

Beep! Beep!
 
New York a bottom feeder? I don't think so. Are the Knicks people in charge bottom feeders? Judging by the results in court so far, probably so. The team itself has much better talent than the record shows. Chicago and New York are the biggest flops in the league up to now. In these cases it seems problems from above have ended up causing problems in the locker room and then to performance. The Knick franchise has been a mess for many years so its not just . Thomas/Dolan but they continued and added to the mismanagement. The team itself can be a playoff team as it stands. Money spent for what you have and what you expect is another story. In short, the loss wasn't as big a surprise to me.

A loss to Philly would be. This 76'er team is not a good one even if they did beat the Bucks on the road last night. Some people in the league think they would be happy [as a franchise] to continue losing and get a good pick next season. Higherups might like the concept but players never buy into that thinking because they may not be around for the” next year". Andre Miller is the leader here and an unsung one at that and will not let this group collapse

Is Memo in a state of collapse? That’s a different story. For the Jazz to be a good team, he needs to become a consistent player at both ends. He does get more special attention now every game with teams playing smaller quick guys on him and trying to make him put the ball on the floor instead of standing on the 3 pt line to shoot 3's. 38% shooting is not good enough if Utah is to be a contender.

Concerning Defense-just don't turn the ball over and make dumb mistakes at key times. Also work to NEVER let the other team beat you down the court. THEN you can worry about the other things that make you a better "D" ball club.

Jazz by 6 over Philly

DJ and PK talk to Harvey Unga before the SDSU game. Listen to it here!!!

David Locke's interview with Coach Kyle Whittingham has been broken into 2 parts. Click the links to listen:

Part 1

Part 2

Here is David Locke's conversation with Jazz Coach Phil Johnson.

Tom submitted this yesterday and it didn't get posted but check out the last line.  This guy might know something about the game.

Beep! Beep!
                    Are the Pistons without Wallace:
1.  Bad?
2.  In the middle of the Pack?
3.  Still a threat to be in the East Race?
Without Wallace the Pistons are just fair and wouldn't go very far.  As goofy as he is and has been going back to his days at "Sky Blue University aka North Carolina University", he is a scoring threat and can play "D" from time to time.  As well as Boozer played, I think Wallace would haveat least had a hand in his face.  Having said that, with Wallace out and Williams outplaying Billips the result was no surprise.
With Williams pushing the ball[toe problem better] the way he did and should, everyone else picked up their game.
                   Has Price pushed ahead at the "2"?  One thing to keep in mind is that if you are good, size shouldn't be that big of a problem.  I played Calvin Murphy [5'9']  at the 2 for 3 years with Houston and never had a problem at either end.  He was tough in the post up area[might bruise you a little!] and on offense could get 50!  Lets just watch this play out.  Brewer and Price would be a nice combo for the future which in the NBA is almost day by day
                    NY is a mess BUT has some talent AND seem to be backing their coach knowing he. was the one who brought them in.  Thomas was one of the NBA's greatest players but has struggled to do much since-Toronto, CBA, Pacers and now Knicks.  The game tonight will be tougher than Detroit so Carlos and Deron will have to do it again with more consistant play from Memo.

Knicks by 6

        The Jazz lost 113-109 to the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden Monday night.  Hear David Locke and Coach Tom Nissalke break down this game and preview the Wednesday night matchup with the Philadalphia 76ers.   You can catch the Jazz/76ers pregame show with Locke and the Coach on 1320 KFAN at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday night, followed by tipoff at 5:30 with Hot Rod Hundley.  Follow all things Jazz on 1320 KFAN, the sports leader.  

Every Jazz game this year David Locke will be keeping a live blog with analysis and breakdowns.
Put any questions in on the comment zone and I will get to them during the live blog.

HIT REFRESH AND THE LATEST UPDATE WILL BE ON TOP.

FINAL SCORE  -- KNICKS 113  JAZZ 109
The Jazz had a shot at the end but this game was lost by their terrible defensive effort in the first half and the third quarter.
The Jazz cut it to 3 and had the ball and then collapsed.  With 2:30 left Deron turned it over trying to cross over on Marbury.  The Knicks missed and then Eddy Curry blocked a Deron drive.  Deron stole an entry pass but his outlet went to Brewer who turned it over.  The Knicks scored on a second chance bucket.  Now down 6 Deron turned it over again with a ill advised one handed pass in traffic. 
Jazz had it back down to 2 but the Knicks got a second chance on a Crawford miss forcing the Jazz to foul.
The Jazz played very hard in the 4th quarter but that was the first time all night.  The Indiana lesson didn't quite sink in.
This is too bad after the great win yesterday.  They somewhat wash each other out.

3:33 4th Quarter -- Knicks 105 Jazz 103
Jazz have scored on 12 of 15 trips this quarter
Boozer is unstoppable.   Booz is 11 of 17
Marbury has 5 fouls and can't guard D-Will.  D-will is 10 of 15 and looks more explosive.
Knicks are going 1 on 1 on every possession, first it was Crawford at Brewer, then Marbury at Williams and then Randolph at Boozer. 
It is time for AK help defense on the 1 on 1 plays


5:55 4th Quarter --  Knicks 102 Jazz 94
Offensively the Jazz are rolling.  Executing perfectly on every set.  They have scored 7 of their last 8 trips.
Defensively the Knicks have good 1 on 1 players and the Jazz can't handle it.  They have had to go to the zone.
Ronnie Price has played the entire quarter.  If he is going to be the back-up shooting guard he will have to make a shot and he hasn't done that yet.
Jazz need 3 stops in a row in the final 5 minute stretch, maybe twice.
They have the ball with a chance to get it to 6. 
This one is not over yet.

End of 4th Quarter -- Knicks 89 Jazz 80
Jazz looked like they were knocking on the door and then Nate Robinson got back to back 3 point plays. This is going to be tough.

3:43 3rd Quarter -  Knicks 81 Jazz 72
Milsap we ask for we got it -- 9 straight points and great energy.
The defense is still awful.  They have broken down guarding the side pick n roll.  Once they just left Marbury and he was the ball handler and he drove for open lay-up, which was missed but the Knicks got the rebound and the buckjet.
Okur's defensive focus and energy is very poor
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DEFEND FOR THE NEXT 4 MINS AND IT WILL BE TIED

8:22 3rd Quarter -- Knicks 69 Jazz 59
No sign of a change from the Jazz
Boozer out with 4 fouls
Jazz are letting the Knicks come off curls for easy looks, drive without resistance. It is ugly.
We need a vintage Milsap hustle today

Halftime -- Knicks 58 Jazz 52
Jazz played defense and rotated well for a grand total of 3 possession in the entire half.  That is probably an exaggeration but not by much.
You have to play a little defense or else it gets ugly and the Jazz are just sitting back playing soft.
They are letting the Knicks bigs move into the post without any contact.  It is so easy if they catch on their spots.
Offensively the Jazz are fine, but that is not how this team needs to win games.
Marbury had 15 points, also Williams had 15

5:59 2nd Quarter -- Knicks 45 Jazz 40
Knicks have scored on 5 straight trips/
D-Will got it rolling and scored on three straight possessions.
Their doesn't seem like their is a great flow to what teams are trying to do today.
Knicks are a poor offensive team and they are shooting 64%.

End of 1st Quarter - Knicks 31 Jazz 29
Feel free to bring the defense at some point.
Zack Randolph is 6/7. Of course, since I talked about how awful he has been in the pre-game show.
Randolph is left handed and his only move is left or a spin back to his left.
Jazz played well offensively to stay in the game.
Boozer's 8 leads the Jazz, Randolph has 13.

5:50 1st Quarter - Knicks 19 Jazz 16
Brutal defensive start by the Jazz.
Jazz were jogging back in transition on two straight fast breaks and gave up easy lay-ins
The Knicks are getting really deep post position whenever they want.
Offensively, the Jazz are getting whatever they want and will all night
These feels way too close to the Indiana game.

Keys to the Game
1. Play hard
2. Make Randolph shot not Curry
3. Keep the Knicks off the defensive glass

STARTING LINE-UPS
Jazz:  Deron, Ronnie, AK, Boozer and Okur
Knicks: Marbury, Crawford, Richardson, Randolph and Curry

STATS -- 2007-08 SEASON
Note: Efficiency Stats are based on possession.  Therefore, equalizing for pace of play.  Efficiency rankings are based upon 100 possessions.   Example: The Jazz average 111.1 pts per 100 possessions

Pace:  Jazz 95.6 possessions per game (6th in NBA)  Knicks   91.5  (15h in the NBA)
Offensive  Efficiency:  Jazz 110.6  (9th  in NBA)  Knicks 100.2 (26th in the NBA)
Defensive Efficiency:  Jazz 102.4  (5th in NBA)  Knicks 110.5     (25th in the NBA)
Jazz Defensive Glass:   Jazz Def Reb % - 74.2%  (13th in NBA)  Knicks  Off Reb % - 31.6% (2nd)
Knicks  Defensive Glass:   Jazz Off Reb % - 30% (10th in NBA)  Knicks Def Reb % -73% (18th)


Officials
Steve Javie, Tony Brown and Derek RIchardson

 

Here we go again.

Two weeks after my e-mail box exploded with comments on Kyle Whittingham's decision to on-side kick against Wyoming, the electronic letter writers were back at it.

Since Saturday evening, when 1320-KFAN first played the Austin Collie quotes, (and remember, the only place to hear Collie's remarks is right here on our website) I've been beseiged with e-mail on this subject. Thanks to all who wrote the last three days - I only wish I had the time to respond to each message.

Like I did with the Whittingham decision, here's some of the best e-mail I received:

 Ute fans aren't as dumb as they look. They know their team was totally dominated on Saturday. They just can't take hearing about how they blew a frekin 4th and 18 and how, for the second year in a row, lost in the last minute. So what they are doing?? They are talking up the Austin Collie comments, changing the conversation from their ugly, ugly loss and making it a religious discussion. Again, I give Ute fans credit, they aren't as dumb as they look!! - James Dickson

Why is this Collie thing being blown out of proportion?  The bottom line is that you, PK, trapped him with your luck question.  What is he supposed to say? Either, Yes it was luck, we suck but we’re lucky…or, No it wasn’t lucky, I’m good and that’s how the play was supposed to work.  I think Austin Collie is a genius for the answer he gave, it was a perfect mix of innovation and modesty:  No it was not lucky we executed it and thank goodness God was willing to bless us with some extra help.  BYU IS A PRIVATE, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION!!!!  Why does Utah get so upset when Bronco or Collie or Hall decide to make reference to God or their religion, that’s what the school stands for!  Never do they say that they are more righteous than the U, it just gets translated that way by U fans because some of them are Mormon too and so they think “what am I chopped liver?”  A lot of people have been saying that God doesn’t care about football and I agree with that, but He does care about us and our dreams and goals and therefore is willing to step in and “make magic happen” occasionally. - Eric Lott

Tickets to the game: $16

Parking: $10

Philly Cheesesteak and Diet Coke (caffiene free of course): $9

Having God complete a fourth and 18 yard pass against the Utes: Priceless - Matt Mansfield

 

Maybe Austin was right and Joe Glenn wan't the only One upset about the onside kick.  Just kidding. - Jon Brinley

You can't blame this on the media?  I realize that everyone has a different perspective on reality but come on!  You guys just spent 10 minuets plugging your own greatness in being the one and only media outlet to have this story. Then you go on and on about the amazing technology that you and Al Gore invented together that brings it to the hungry masses. And now you deny all culpability?  For the love...!
Speaking of reality, thanks for finally putting Austin's comments into the proper contexts.  Fortunately you got your 3 hours and 45 mins filled based on an ambiguous irrelevant quote.  If God really did care about sports, based on your own righteousness PK, you would be the greatest athlete of all time.
Thank goodness the Utes have the refs and thanks to the media, the Lord through Austin Collie and to blame their loss on. - Mike Pierce

 

Out of 10 Million church members, I would guess that less than 50% realize the the Y and the U played yesterday.  Of those only 50% of them could tell you what the score was. Of those only 50% of them REALLY cared about the game. Of those  only 20% are U fans.  Of them only 50% that are hardcore U fans enough to care.  Which leaves less than 1.5% of the churches membership possibly  getting offended by Collie. Members of the church get offended all the time at dumb things people say and leave the church.  I guess that is how they weed out the week and the U grows it's fan base.
No one nationally out side of the church will care what Collie said.  It was more of a joke with Kitna got healed to finish the game. - Joe Pepper
 

The Austin Collie thing "I am blessed for doing the right thing on and of the field". Is sad only because what if he had lost the U game or had a losing season does this mean he is not living a righteous life, this seems to be the mentality of most BYU Freshman and Sophomores like John Beck maybe the reason he cried in that after game interview was because he thought he wasn't living righteously. It shouldn't be offensive to anyone else it is just sad that Austin thinks he is living righteously if he wins a football game or not. - Rob Fish

 

I want to hear every one of these whiny ute fans call in with thier hurt feelings and percieved religious insults the next time ANY athelete praises God, or thanks Jesus for thier ability. Because obviously they are saying that the Utah freikin Utes and thier fans apparently aren't living like they are supposed to be. They are only cementing the little brother mind set. - Matt Hill

 Stop exploiting the amature athlete; you always talk about the hypocrisy of University’s and the NCAA for exploiting young amature athletes.  It seems to me that you are blowing Collie’s comments way out proportion, as a way to benefit yourself.  I admit it makes great topic radio, and it works well for your TV show, but would this really be a big story if a player of a different faith went Deion on us.  How many guys point to heaven after a touchdown or thank God after a game.  I think this Collie story deserves mention but not four hours, or save it for baseball season when you need topic radio.  It is only a story because you want it to be a story. - Greg Johnson

 

Ute fans are embarrassing themselves.  How is what Collie did any different than what almost every other football player does after a great play and thanks God for helping him do it?  Its the oldest thing to do in sports.  Don't be so sensitive and grow up.  I've got 4 words for you.  Collie is still open. - Brian Holt

no one cares about Austin Collie's comments except Ute fans, who also would not care if Utah had won the game. - Russ Smith

People are killing Collie for his comments after the game.  I don't like them either, but every Mormon Ute that is upset about it needs to stop being hypocritical.  I would dare say that everyone of them has been in church and talked about their blessings and accredited them to having lived correctly.  Collie did the same thing.  I personally don't believe that God even cares about football, but you can't kill him for saying or doing something in the heat of the moment.  You can't give Whittingham a pass for what he did against Wyoming in the heat of the moment and not do the same for Collie.  Congrats to the Utes for a great game.  It is great to be a cougar!!! - Nick Newbold

In his freshman year, Austin Collie was second only to Curtis Brown in running his mouth.  Bronco obviously had the team under wraps the week before the Utah game which had him bottled up to the point of combustion.  Once the game was over, he was dying to shoot off his mouth so when he saw PK in the restaurant he thought "here is my chance, this must be intervention, who better than PK to help me stir it up?"  - Skra Howell

 I would like to see that Cougar player playing the religious card on his knees thanking the lord for Manna from above on saturday in the form of yellow flags on that last drive. Good game, thoroughly enjoyed by myslef a UTE fan in Happy Valley. Too bad I have to listen to arrogant, ignorant, oblivious cougar fan today to remind me why I hate the COUGS, it's the fans not the team. The church going headdbutters are evidence enough of that. - J. Whicker

Austin Collie didn't really mean the Lord helped BYU win this game.  His sole intent was to fuel the fire that is the holy rivalry.  I know this is true because the Lord told me so. - Mike Bouwhuis

Congratulations PK.  You are an expert – at getting people to react to, or respond to, your questions with their emotions exposed.  Getting Austin to talk about the ‘miracle’ was in itself a miracle.  Very few, if any, people call in to talk shows to talk about the facts.  But stir up the emotions, and the phone lines light up like Christmas lights.  When emotions rule, logic gets locked up in the dungeon.
But you didn’t get the whole story.  What Austin Collie forgot to say was that during the weeks leading up to the two losses that BYU had earlier this year, there were some members of the team who were not living righteously, and that is why they lost those games.  Those players were severely punished.  Since then, the Lord has been with them.  Along the same line of thought, Notre Dame is losing for the same reason.  They have some players on the team who are not living righteously, which is why they are having a losing season.  On a larger scale - Katrina.  Need I say more? 
I wonder if the same type of conversations arise in South Bend, or in the Bible Belt universities.  Do you think there has ever been a player who has thanked the Lord for helping them win?
PK – you are amazing.  You are the master of the debate.  You can take either side of an issue, and make us all believe that you actually believe one side or another.  Whenever I listen to you I have to pay very close attention to see if you actually believe what you are saying, or if you are just stirring the pot again. - B. Sharp

            I just finished re-watched the BYU win over Utah.  I charted every play for formation, defensive alignment, etc.   I hope that you feel this analysis is accurate and helpful.  I feel I have been taught by enough people with great knowledge that there is some validity to this work.

 Overall

            The game was a great tribute to both coaches.  In a day and age where every game is in the 30’s and 40’s two defensive coordinators turned head coaches had their teams playing great defense.  It may be as simple as these coaches value defense and therefore, the best athletes on each side are on defense. 

            This was a better game the second time I watched it.  The battles and the adjustments by each side were fantastic and the individual plays by guys on both sides were superb.

            If these teams played again, I believe Utah would be able to score.  As I will delve into the playing calling by the Utes was horrific.  Whereas, Utah’s defense really did a nice job individually against BYU’ offensive players and that might hold again.  Below I will breakdown how the BYU coaching staff made the perfect adjustments, but couldn’t come up with the plays.

 The Controversy.

            Truthfully, I have no idea on the three controversial calls what the rules are and how the official makes the call.   I do feel that no matter what call was made they were all so close that complaining was inevitable.

            I watched the Kehl hit and the Johnson hit in slow motion and the only difference is on the Kehl hit he has already planted his launch foot as the ball crosses over Brooks and Johnson takes another step after the ball pass Pitta and then he hits him.

            On the pass interference penalty, Stanford plays it pretty well.  He does seem to (qualifier since TV angels aren’t real) leave his plane.  If a defender holds his same plane then I believe he can hold his ground, but Stanford does leave his plane and move toward Reed.   Is that pass interference, I don’t have that answer.

 The Real Reason Utah Lost

            The play calling by the offensive staff of the University of Utah was miserable.   The first half was condemnable.   In addition, they shot themselves in the foot all game

            I believe (and if you are to buy what I am about to present you will need to as well) during the 7 game win streak the Utes established an identity offensively.  They were a power running team and a control quick passing game.   In addition, they stretched the field horizontally with their speed receivers on sweeps to keep the defense honest.  I don’t believe trick plays can be part of your identity.  Feel free to disagree.

            If that is their identity then in the biggest game of the year they didn’t attempt to establish their identity until the second half and when they did it worked great.    That is inexcusable.

            Durrell Mack ran only one power run (where the guard pulls into the run lane, the play they ran 27 times v. CSU) the entire first half.  Mack ran the power just 4 times (for 26 yards).   Instead they ran the toss sweep most of the time which in my opinion plays into the speed of the BYU linebackers.

            Most importantly, the option play has not been a part of the Utah offense this year.  Then in the biggest game of the year it become the go to play for Andy Ludwig.  They don’t run it well.  If you are an option team you need to really run the option. 

            Here is a drive by drive of the Utes and how they killed their own chances or lack good play calling.

 1^st drive – 15 yard personal foul changes a 3^rd and 4 to a 3^rd and 19.  Drive over.

2^nd drive --  The Utes have Durrell Mack attempting to block Jan Jorgenson on 1^st and 10 pass play and it results in a sack.  What happened to the quick passing game.  3 and out.

3^rd drive – The drive starts at the 20 of BYU and ends with Johnson’s pick..  On 2^nd and goal at the 5, they run the option for no gain, it is close to a turnover and the only time Mack touches the ball on the drive.

4^th drive – On 3^rd and 1 they turn it over to Louks.  He gets no gain.  I hate this it is third down your best players need the ball, but I also hated it when they did it in the 4^th quarter and it worked great then.

5^th drive --  Penalty turns third and 7 into 4^th and 12.  3 and out.

6^th drive – the short passing game finally shows up and they are at the BYU 46 when Ludwig calls a triple reverse.  They lose 5 and then try to go deep on the next pass.

 
The half ends and the Utes have tried Mack up the middle once.  The short passing game has worked but they never go to it.  Moreover, penalties have eliminated most chances. 

 In the second half, the short passing game arrives.  Three easy completions. Two nice runs by Louks, again I would have liked Mack but it worked.  Then the holding penalty kills the drive.

 On the next drive, they are 3^rd and 1 an they call the option.  The biggest plays of the game and they became an option team.

 After the insanity of the reverse return on the kickoff starts the drive at the 6 they try two deep pass routes plus back to back false start penalties and this one is done as well. 

 First drive of the 4^th quarter the Utes get it rolling, back to back short hitches to Richards followed by a Mack power run and the Utes are at mid-field. After another first down on a short completion to Godfrey the Utes tried a flea flicker.  What in the hell are you thinking?

To cap it off on 3^rd and 9 they try to go for the end zone.  Where is your identity?

 On the next drive they score to take the lead.  This drive was the essence of the Utes over the last two months.   I wonder why Louks takes all the red zone plays but it worked. 

 This is why I believe if these teams played again the Utes would be able to score, bad play calling and self inflicted wounds beat them more often than not.

 BYU Offensive struggles

            This is the part of the game that intrigued me the most when I watched it the second time.  The Utes had a great plan against the Cougs.  The Cougs coaching staff adjusted and got the best match-ups they wanted, but couldn’t get the play to bust it.

            The Cougar coaching staff found a way to move the ball and get some points, but the Ute defenders continually made brilliant plays to out play the Cougar players.

            The Ute defensive philosophy was simple.  Our players will be better than your players one on one.  For the most part they were right.

            The Utes threw a ton of looks at Hall early.  On the opening drive they never rushed more than 5.   As the game went on they added and added men.  

            The Cougs couldn’t beat the man to man coverage.  When it was zone, more often than not Max Hall found his men, the exception being the zone blitz that resulted in the pick in the first quarter.

            The Utes put 6’3 Sean Smith on Pitta and he couldn’t beat him.  Same for McCain with Collie until the 4^th and 18 and Reed and Allen were singled up by Sanford and Robert Johnson.

            . Early in the game they were running 2 backs, 1 tied end, 2 receivers.   However, the Utes were blitzing a man and if the back released on the route the blitzer would go cover the back and the Cougs couldn’t beat it and none of the receivers could get free.

            The best the Cougs could do was the one step quick passes and let everyone block one on one. 

            The Cougs coaching staff made a great adjustment. In the second half, they went more heavily to one back with Pitta and three receivers.  This forced the Utes to have one Robert Johnson in a match-up or forced a linebacker to guard Pitta or a receiver.

            The problem was the Utah players kept making great plays.  Smith denied Pitta in the end zone, Allen couldn’t get free from Stanford, Johnson was glued to Pitta on another drive, Collie and McCain had a great battle.

            The Cougs coaching staff got other match-ups they wanted, for example on the play where Unga drops the TD pass they caught the Utes with defensive lineman Martail Burnett trying to stay with Unga.   But again, the Cougs were close, but couldn’t finish the play.

            The only time before the 4^th and 18 that any Cougars receiver had beaten a Ute was the last time they had thrown to Collie when he hit for 45 yards on the previous drive.

Every Monday I will release my top 5. It will be entirely stats based.

 We will reveal the top 5 teams based on efficiency differential (the efficiency rating equalizes all teams to 100 possessions and then determines how many points would be scored or allowed).  On the player level, we will reveal the top 5 Locke offensive rating, Locke activity rating and the LHM batting average.

It has been requested that I also do the BOTTOM 5.