Utah’s Elite Defense

[UteFanatic]

EagleMountainUte made a very astute observation earlier today.  Utah’s defense is being described as “elite” this year by many football analysts (and the stats back up those claims).  However, I agree with EMU in that Utah’s defense isn’t markedly better than in year’s past. 

The differense is that we finally have a good offense to go with the defense.

As Ute fans, we’ve hypothesized for years how good Utah could be if we could field a powerful offense to complement the defense.  Well, folks, that is exactly what is happeneing this year and the results are awesome.

It’s crazy to think that with how well Utah is playing, they could very well go into Seattle and win convincingly. Man, I hope Huntley is more healthy than he was during the Cal game.

Let’s f****** go!!!

 

[EagleMountainUte]

Just something Whitt said in his weekly presser. I was trying to put my finger on why Utah’s defense was so elite. They are fresh every week so that physicality they usually play with is amped up even more. 

[utefansince79]

This is a more consistent offense than we’ve seen here for a while, but the defense has been stellar since the wake up loss in the Colliseum.

 

 

[BulgieUte]

Our t.o.p. is the key. It’s one area where the coaches aren’t taking things one game at a time. Whit has stated his desire to limit plays for the cumulative advantage of keeping the entire team healthier and fresh.

Thus marking the first time in history a coach admitted it’s not one game at a time.

[mokus]

Utah’s average game score this year has been almost 35-10. I know there is a loss figured in there, but it is still totally unprecedented.

[EagleMountainUte]

@utethunder had some great preseason expectations on Ludwig pushing Utah beyond that 32 ppg. A lot of us have felt Utah needed to get to 30 plus to win the pac. 

[Distantute]

Travis wilson wasted so many great defenses. If Huntley and this offense was playing during the same time utah would be a national brand now.

[EagleMountainUte]

Travis Wilson was wasted on those offenses. Roderick, Schramm and ESPECIALLY Christensen were garbage. 

[Distantute]

The only pass he could complete was a swing pass or quick out. Otherwise it was tuck and run. Watching those games again it is even more painful to watch how bad the passing game was despite having arguably the greatest rb in utah history (booker)

[EagleMountainUte]

They never used the play action to set up the pass. Ludwig gets it and understands how to call a game. It takes me back to Chow that first season. Maybe Wilson couldn’t run it but they wanted RPO all of the damn time. Plus who did Travis have to pass to?  Son of Flipper?  He would drop those easy out passes and then catch unbelievable ones. 

[Distantute]

Dres, patrick, clay all made nfl rosters. Covey in 2015. Probably forgetting others. If Huntley was the qb utah would have won pac12. For sure in 2015.

[EagleMountainUte]

Dropsies all of them. Wilson had an arm to he never had good play calling to help him out. It was 30 carries for Booker and zero play action. Maddening how poorly called the games were. 

[GunthersRevenge]

I think you guys are both right. Huntley is a more natural passer than Wilson. TW’s Uncle Rico release point was never going to allow him to be an elite passer. However, Ludwig would have gotten way more out of Wilson and the offense than ARod ever did.

[EagleMountainUte]

I will always defend Wilson. Utah really wasted the talent in that kid. 

[Charlie]

I really don’t think one thing improves a football team much; it is the interaction of many things in chain reaction. The offense is better, giving the defense more rest, making teams play from behind, resulting in the defense getting better, giving back the offense the opportunity to play with a lead and so on. Two things stand out. Ludwig’s offense and play calling has improved the offense. The defense, across all 11 players wins most battles, does very well in one on one match ups, are multi skilled and have good backups giving Scalley uncommon options. I just think each step forward by a group creates a better opportunity for another group and gives us across the board improvement.

[Author]

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