What’s our defense looking like?

When was the last time our D was DS?

We rolled out half a team against them last year,. Our D will make Fifita look like DS at RES.

I’ve experienced a U of A fan on X & he was certain they’d beat us in September.

One good season & they believe they’re on UGA’s level now.

From an outsider’s perspective, I can see why someone would think Utah would regress on D this year. Especially a fan of another team whose only experience with Utah’s D in 2023 was their team boat racing them.

3 starters gone to the draft
Replacing 4 starters at DB
Perceived 2 best LB’s either injured or coming off season ending injury
May only get 1/2 season out of Fano at best (2nd ACL, not sure if same knee)
DT’s underperformed in 2023

There are ?’s heading in to fall camp which need to be answered in a hurry. That being said, the last time Utah had anything less than an above average defense was the 90’s so I wouldn’t expect anything outside the norm until proven otherwise.

I think the fact they beat us for the first time in years has empowered him to make some wild claims.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Whitt and Scalley have a big circle around that game on the calendar. They stuck it to us and rubbed salt in the wound. The defense was worn out at that point last year. The offense will keep them off the field more this year.

Our offense will be equal to the defense and both sides of the ball will fuel each other. If Barton and Reid can stay healthy their leadership will be invaluable.

Our defense was indeed terrible at Tuscon last season. However, many of our best players were not able to play in that game. We looked bad, but I highly doubt we will look that bad when we play them in SLC in game 5 in 2024.

The way that Arizona ended that game is a disgrace and poor sportsmanship. The coach is gone, but Whitt and the team have not forgotten. The fans have certainly not forgotten I hope it is a night game and 52,000 roudy fans go wild.

That being said, Fifita is an excellent QB and he will be difficult to shut down. In fact, I suspect he will have some success against us. But, I think we win that game.

Go Utes!!!

Something like this. Probably the best DL in the conference, one of the best LB in the country alongside a couple very solid starters, and a mostly unproven but talented secondary. A lot of transfers who could challenge for spots and depth. This honestly seems like a really good defense to me. Not on the level of years past, but good enough to be one of the best in the conference. Throw in the fact that they’ll likely be supported by an offense that will also be one of the best in the conference, and they could terrorize offenses in the Big12 all year.

DE Fillinger / Fano
DT Tafuna / Pepa
DT Tanuvasa / Vimahi
DE O’Toole
LB Barton
LB Reid
LB Fotu
S Ritchie
S Tao Johnson / Gilman
NB Snowden / Blocker
CB Kenan Johnson
CB Vaughn