Diary of a Utah Fan

Yesterday started very early.

5:30 am early.

We were eager to head up to the Hill in anticipation of the Utes biggest game of the year. Everything was set up for success. We were 8-0 and ranked #5 in the country. A win against TCU would not only provide a conference championship, but a chance to play into the big game. The BCS kind of big game.

from Salt Lake Tribune

ESPN's College Game Day was in town for only the second time ever. In 2004 Chappo and I braved the cold to listen to Corso, Herbstrett, and Fowler predict the Utes to victory and a game in the Fiesta Bowl. This was even bigger.

There must have been thousands of people watching the broadcast. It was crazy. There were signs, posters, props, costumes. For us, GameDay involved a lot of screaming and cheering. Tons of booing (especially when there was talk of Alabama, TCU, or Boise St.). As a fan, it was pretty cool taking it all in. It seemed as though the Utes had arrived.

And then the game started.

I have never been to a worse Utah game in my LIFE!

TCU did whatever they wanted to on offense. TCU shut down everything we tried to do. Utah fumbled, missed tackles, blew coverage, threw interceptions. Everything that could go wrong did. In the end it was ugly.

from Salt Lake Tribune

TCU 47 - Utah 7

Honestly, I was surprised we even scored. We shouldn't have. TCU played like one of the best teams in country and Utah was exposed. A soft schedule. An unproven quarterback. A weak secondary. A big loss.