Utah Might Not Win Another Game This Season

[The Miami Ute]

Shocking I know, but definitely not out of the realm of possibility. Keep in mind that Utah just got outplayed (and Whitt got outcoached) by two middle-bottom programs in the Big XII. Now TCU comes to town and while their defense isn’t that great, they can certainly move the ball and have victories over Stanford and Kansas. I certainly wouldn’t sleep on them based on what I’ve seen the last couple of weeks from Utah. Then we have to go away to Houston. Houston looked like a dumpster fire earlier in the season but righted the ship with a big victory over TCU. They also lost to Oklahoma by only four points in their second game of the season. I saw them versus TCU and, make no mistake, they’re a dangerous team, especially playing Utah at home. After that, we get Murderers’ Row, having to play BYU, at Colorado, Iowa State, and at UCF to close out the season. All those teams can move the ball and will be smelling blood the moment the game starts. I’d like to think that we can win some of those games, and if Rising is reasonably healthy and the coaching up to par we probably can. However, what I’ve seen the last couple of weeks make me a lot less confident.

[salty-ute]

If our coaching staff continues to be stubborn, we will continue to lose.
• playing Cam because of blind loyalty and in spite of the fact that he’s the worst option when he’s unhealthy
• play-call a predictable offense, with lack of creativity…. e.g. insisting that we have the o-line to bully people with the 4th & 1 type of calls up the middle, kiuthe wildcat (still has zero wrinkles, why havent they done a single jump pass with kiuthe?), haven’t seen a kiuthe jet sweep yet this season
• refusing to acknowledge our lack offensive ability to score TDs in the red zone. Whitt needs to kick FGs on 4th down.

[RUUTES]

I’m feeling pretty good about the Houston game….

Seriously though if I were in Vegas betting I’d probably say 6-7 games is where we end up.

However all the games I had leaning our way 2 weeks ago…not so much anymore.

At this point I’m going to root against BYU and like its 20 years ago and our unwelcome rivalry was relevant. Let them lay a bunch of eggs so I feel better about myself 😀

[ThurstonW]

Unless we can hold our opponents to under 20, we’ll probably have a hard time winning. In our four P4 games this season we’ve scored 23, 22, 10, and 19. Our D seems to be sliding the wrong direction and its going to be tough to find some creative magic for our “up the gut” offense. We are in a spot…

[jshame17]

BYU is up 14 with a ton of time remaining and are gashing Arizona.

Utah doesn’t have a chance.

Something is rotten in the locker room and this Utah team isn’t anywhere close to the hype.

[The Miami Ute]

Yeah, too bad you brought it up. BYU is most definitely having its way with a Wildcat team that handled Utah pretty easily. Still have to play the game though…

[Holladay Ute]

I’m more optimistic, primarily b/c I still believe we have a talented roster.
1) I don’t know the extent of the injuries, but I would hope we get Reid, O’Toole, Tanuvasa, etc. back before BYU.
2) We almost couldn’t have played worse offensively in either of the last two games and, as crazy as it sounds, we could’ve won those games if a few specific plays went differently. I know, I know…it’s never fair to say that and I agree. You get that 3rd & 11 stop against Fifita. Boom. You get a stop on that 3rd down pass to Skattebo…and it could’ve been a different game. We just haven’t had guys step up for the difference makers that’ve been injured.
I think we’ll have some guys start to step up as this season progresses. One thing we’ve always learned about Whittingham’s teams is that they don’t quit, even when it feels super crappy.
3) I’m writing Cam off at this point, but it’s possible he could get healthier and still be a good QB. We have a lot of talented pass catchers. Bernard is one of the best RBs in the conference. Our O line has been fine. And if it’s not Cam, then Isaac should improve if he knows he’s QB1 and as he gets those reps/experience.
4) Houston and TCU aren’t good either. Those are very winnable games for us as we figure out how to make some corrections. Maybe a home game against a mediocre team is just what the Utes need to get a spark and some confidence/momentum back. I still think RES is a very tough place to play (as fans, we can still help them at home and live up to our reputation as one of the toughest places to play in the west).
5) Anything can happen in the Holy War. We’re fortunate to be at home for that one. Get a little confidence/momentum before BYU, you have a chance to beat them. Beat them and then the season is back on track (to be at least a respectable season). I know it’s a lot to ask for, but there’s still hope.

I agree, if we don’t fix the red zone problems, find some stability at the QB position, and figure out how to tackle better, then we are in trouble. Shame on them for not improving those things during a bye week…but each loss is an opportunity to learn and next week is always an opportunity to shine. My expectations have been reset for this year, but I still think we’ll win at least a few more games. If we look the same against TCU, then I will concede that this season is a raging dumpster fire…and that maybe Whitt should think about handing the reigns over to Scalley. I do agree w/ one of your other posts that Whitt looks tired. COVID, AL/TJ, and the injuries (specifically Cam’s) have taken their toll for sure.

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