Positions that concern you for the season?

[EagleMountainUte]

I think QB has to be number one. Just because of inexperience. If Huntley goes down you don’t have Williams there. Absolutely no safety net. I also am not confident Huntley stays healthy. I would put it in the realm of 40% odds of him starting every game. 

Second is kind of surprising to me and I am just more of wait and see. DE positions sort of have  me holding my breath. Anae is a freak of nature for sure but he takes himself out of plays at times. 

Third is Oline which sort of relates back to the first concern. You don’t have time to gel this season at all.  NIU has a serviceable rusher from what I gather. We can’t have him beating the s**t out of Huntley week 2. 

Disagree?  What are your concerns? 

[Tony (admin)]

I think Shelley and Tuttle are manageable at QB, especially with Moss and Shyne there for the running game.  

[EagleMountainUte]

I agree but what if they get destroyed? I am playing the what if too much in my head for sure but I do not want to see Tuttle starting I guess I should say.

[Tony (admin)]

Who, Shyne and Moss?

[EagleMountainUte]

Shelley and Tuttle what if they get hurt on top of it all. 

[noneyadb]

Drew Lisk, Covey, what’s the problem?

[HoosierUte]

I dont think there is any team in CFB that is built to withstand three QBs going down. If this is your main concern we are going to be ok

[Tony (admin)]

Agree.

[Tony (admin)]

I’m concerned about O line, based on last year’s performance, and defensive end also based on last year’s performance. We need major improvement there.

[iamthepreacher]

I too am concerned about the O Line. People that aren’t concerned about the O Line almost always talk about how Harding is the coach and we’ll be in great shape because 1) the Bengals interviewed him and 2) a bunch of our o linemen got drafted a few years ago.

Their argument seems to reason that a few offseason accolades that are somewhat related are more important than the actual product we see on the field.

To me, the product on the field is the only evidence I need, and far too often our O Line has been sloppy, disorganized, and penalty ridden under Harding. Flame away if you must, but that’s how I see it.

[EagleMountainUte]

I am not going to flame away but improvement has always been evident.  Despite heavy injuries as well on certain seasons. It would suck to see Harding leave but that grass is always greener somewhere else in Utah fans minds. 

[Utah]

So, the product has been so poor on the field that the last two years we’ve put 5 OL into the NFL and had another as All PAC-12 honors…

ok. 

[noneyadb]

Arizona 3rd and 40, should have been 3rd and 50, illegal man downfield, and Hercules absolutely embarrassed the o-line. Maybe if the product had been better Utah would be South champs by now…

[ironman1315]

Because clearly our WR and QB weren’t holding us back.

[noneyadb]

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaaol2016

Starts with the o-line. They could have Tom Brady back there and still wouldn’t have a division title.

2008 team and 2016 both had 16 players make it to the NFL. One team could block and give Johnson time against a Bama defense, the other had 4 chances to score against Cal and couldn’t do it.

[ironman1315]

Yeah, dropped passes and Moss missing a read is also the fault of the O line.

[oc_ute]

OL for sure.  they weren’t very good last year and hopefully a year later and more experience proves me wrong.  also, receivers.  yeah, covey is back but we lost #1 and #2 from last year.  remains to be seen how those guys do.  my least worry is in the defensive backfield.

[Charlie]

I expect that NIU will do us a big favor. They have a DE that is a stud in the mid major world but good enough to move our tackles farther along in their learning curve. Huntley hopefully will be much better avoiding hits, if so, his risk of injury will be reasonable.

[Redblood]

OL pass blocking and depth. DE opposite Anae. No. 1 receiver being good enough to be a no. 1 in PAC. TE. That’s it. 

[jrj84105]

That’s mine exactly.  

[Anonymous]

The thing that worries me is that I’m not worried. 

[ironman1315]

I’m worried a put QB. How’s huntley going to handle him and Tuttle being in the Heisman race?!?!

[cjd1]

I think Huntley learned his lesson from last year (injuries) and will not take as many chances. He also knows Williams is no longer here to back him up. And I think the coaches have really got after him this year about it.

[jrj84105]

1 OT: we’re an injury away from starting a true freshman who was NOT an early enrollee.  Thanks Beeno’s mom.

 

 

[Utahute72]

O-line, because that’s really the engine that makes the offense roll. The line needs to step it up to establish the run and protect Hundley. I think D-line is also a bit concerning, but has shown the ability to step it up when they are doubted. Receivers is also an issue.

[UtMtBiker]

LB for me.  We’ve had a hard time finding solid play at this position in the last couple years.  2 years ago was terrible and last year it improved to a solid poor.  Hopefully the Hansen move to LB and pick up of Bernard will show an improvment.  

[Author]

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