Trigger alert

[2008 National Champ]

Oregon preview of Utah post spring. The author does really good film breakdowns and if you are interested in an outside point of view, it’s a good read. However, if the only allowable opinion is that Utah will go 15-0 while winning by an average margin of 30+ and half the team will get drafted in the first round (aka Georgia).,,

Edit: Also came across CFN’s game by game Pac-12 breakdown. There’s a couple of errors that seem to center on Oregon (October 28 both Utah and Oregon beat the other; November 4, both Cal and Oregon lose to each other). I think it should show that Oregon beats Cal and loses to Utah.

[Ute Dub]

This quote got me: “Rising’s primary backup has been former walk-on #16 QB Barnes, who has the remarkable distinction of turning Utah’s final snap of two consecutive seasons into a touchdown pass in the Rose Bowl.”

[Tednab]

Brutal read. But objective and a fair assessment imo. Should be good motivational board material

[Yergensen]

Positive evaluation of Rising, RB talent, Pepa, Safety talent

Negative evaluation of Ludwig, backup QB, WR talent, DL, Fillinger, KReid, Broughton

Interesting POV for me were: Rising’s playmaking makes the offense go, run defense was suspect and bailed out by offense making competition play from behind, and scheme may dictate WR use and need.

[Dallas]

Incredibly detailed and deep analysis. Good read.

[Central Coast Ute]

This author is the same guy that said Jaylon Johnson isn’t very good because he didn’t see much from him when they played Oregon the year before. I guess he didn’t understand that’s what makes a good corner.

[chinngiskhaan]

Seems to have a bone to pick with Ludwig, and puts too much emphasis on recruiting rankings, but overall a very fair analysis.

in particular I agree with his assessment of Rising (makes plays, but has tunnel vision), and the WR room.

I disagree with his take on defensive back depth.

[Ute Dub]

When Ludwig was at Oregon fans called him Puntwig. It’s probably hard for them to see all the success he is having now. 

[DataUte]

I mean, even we had ‘Fire Ludwig’. He’s gotten better and happy he will end his career at Utah and has provided stability after a few years of rotating OCs.

[ProudUte]

After reading that article – I wonder how Utah was capable of winning back-to-back conference championships.

I do admit that it is the most in-depth article about Utah’s football team that I have read.  He didn’t just cover the stars, he talked about each walk-on.  I think he over-emphasized the importance of the star rating of these kids coming out of high school.  (Just look at our two 1st round draft picks over the last two seasons.  What were their ratings coming out of high school.)

Things I agree with:

We had and have one go-to WR.

Rising has a couple of favorite receivers and doesn’t look outside of the guys often.

Utah has good ability and depth at RB.  However, I think Jackson will be RB1, not Bernhard.

Utah’s offense was terrible in virtually every first quarter last season.

Things I disagree with:

Ludwig is an excellent offensive coordinator.  I believe in 2021 – he saw the talent he had and adjusted his offense accordingly; i.e., he put three talented tight ends on the field at the same time.

I think our offensive line is better than he gives them credit.

I definitely think our defensive line is better than he projects.  Fillinger did seem to have some struggles early last season.  I hope these issues have been addressed.  But, we have great depth at every position on the line.

I like our LB room much more than he does.

[chinngiskhaan]

Yeah… He did his best to appear objective but clearly was trying to downplay our talent. I can’t tell if he is trying to come off smug, or if he is trying to hide the fact that he is smug but just can’t.

He made a few observations that demonstrate just how little he really knows about Utah football, his pronouncement that Bernard would be the #1 guy is one of them, he also said that Curry didn’t do anything before he got hurt, and he was looking like possibly our best running back at that time.

Like you, I noticed that he completely ignored the possibility that Ludwig’s offense is designed to fit the strengths of the team.

[2008 National Champ]

or the two of your are completely ignoring the possibility that Andy Ludwig didn’t invent a whole new offense in 2021 that was based on 13 personnel.

[chinngiskhaan]

Well, I’m not claiming he invented anything so…

[ProudUte]

He took the talent he had and adjusted accordingly.  That is all I am saying.  That’s what a good coach does and it has paid dividends – two conference championships.  He did not invent it, but he was wise enough to use it.

Would I do some things differently than Ludwig?  Absolutely.  But, I am just a fan with no experience in coaching football (except little league).

[Author]

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