THE GOLDSHEET ( 2-2 IN BOWLS )


P*Utah 30 - California 28—Make no mistake, this is definitely not the same
Utah team that went undefeated last season, including a chest-puffing Sugar
Bowl beatdown of mighty Alabama to conclude that watershed campaign. Gone
is savvy sr. QB Brian Johnson (336 YP & 3 TDP vs. Tide). And 2009 found touted
juco Terrance Cain (11 TDP, 5 ints. in first 7 games) benched for the final month
of the regular campaign in favor of true frosh Jordan Wynn, who completed just
50% with 2 TDP & 2 interceptions during the final three games. The new QBs
struggled to develop a rapport with a rebuilt receiving corps that lost its top three
pass catchers from 2008, and top RB sr. Matt Asiata blew out his knee in the
fourth game of this season.
Still, while this year’s Utes might not the be the equal of last season’s seminal
squad (especially on offense), it wouldn’t be wise to dismiss their chances in
this matchup against explosive but erratic Pac-10 rep Cal. First, Utah is 8-0
straight up in bowl games over the last decade, and this is a typically wellcoached
& fundamentally-sound Ute side. Second, the sure-tackling Utah
defense (just 314 ypg) has held nine of 12 foes to 17 points or fewer (and is very
familiar with Cal o.c. Andy Ludwig, who held the same post with the Utes in the
previous 4 seasons). Plus, despite the frequent fits & starts that plagued the
attack this season, Utah does have a ground hammer in hard-charging jr. RB Eddie
Wide (1032 YR on 5.7 ypc, 13 TDs), a go-to WR in sure-handed sr. David Reed (75
catches for 1085 yards), and an accurate PK in jr. Joe Phillips (17 of 19 FGs).
We acknowledge the superior big-play potential of the Bears. Even if oftinjured
star RB Jahvid Best (check status; missed last 3 games with severe
concussion) is limited or still unable to play, speedy soph backup Shane Vereen
is a more than capable pinch hitter, racking up 1545 YR & 17 TDs the last couple
of years. Jr. QB Kevin Riley has played with more poise this season, and Cal
owns four straight bowl victories of its own. Still, with the Bears frequently
failing to maintain their shaky defensive resolve, prefer to back the less
dynamic but more reliable Utes.