What’s our defense looking like?

[Utesbyfive]

I was on X, and some very excited UA fan tried to tell me that our defense was “dogs**t” last year, and that every single player on Arizona’s roster is better than ours.

I know we get Lander Barton back, and Damuni is hurt, right? We get Fano back, and a couple CB transfers including Calhoun, and that kid from Georgia Tech.

Anybody have a reasonable take on what it’s gonna look like? is it going to be “dogs**t?”

[Tony (admin)]

When was the last time our D was DS?

[Utah]

The last time we went 5-7. We were pretty bad that year. So many dropped INT’s.

[UteBrook]

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

[D T]

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.

[2008 National Champ]

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.

[Utesbyfive]

TBH, I think our offense is going to be high octane this year. An above average defense is going to put our opponents on their heels.

[Anfernee]

This. I don’t see any defense in the Big12 stopping us. Cam and those pass catchers on a Remember Us? Eff you tour ’24.

[Dallas]

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

[Utegator]

They didn’t just beat us, they handed our a$$ to us on a silver platter. We can allow them to trash talk for a year.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

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.

[ProudUte]

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!!!

[Utesbyfive]

Does anyone besides me think Fifita has a sophomore slump?

[Jim Vanderhoof]

I see it the same way. Lots of film to watch. He is undersized and defensive coordinators will find his flaws and exploit them. Take away his top receiver would be a good start.

[ProudUte]

I don’t know but I don’t think so. I watched him early when he became the starter because of an injury to QB1. He wasamazing. I kept thinking that defensive coordinators will figure this kid out and he will not be as effective.

Well, that never happened. Yes, he is not big. The kid can play football. He was asked what does he have to do differently because he is small. He said, “I don’t do anything differently because I have always been small.”

Do I think that Scalley will have a good defensive plan for Fifita? Yes, I do. But, it’s like having a good plan for Bo Nix. He will still make some plays. In the end, I think Fifita will have the best overall numbers of any QB in the conference. Rising will not have the same kind of stats because our offense is not the same.

[2008 National Champ]

The way that Arizona ended that game is a disgrace and poor sportsmanship.

I find these kinds of comments weird. If what you say about Arizona is true, shouldn’t Utah wear the same after the Charlie Vincent score with 8 seconds left against Arizona State?

[ProudUte]

I get what you are saying and I was not pleased with the Vincent score. However, there’s a big difference IMO.

Vincent was handed the ball up the middle. Vincent was our 5th string RB. Kind of hard to tell the kid not to try. Should we have taken a knee? IMO, yes.

Arizona put in their former QB1, who was back from an injury and he threw a 51-yard pass with 41 seconds to play. So, yes it was different.

[Central Coast Ute]

It’s not Arizona’s job to not score. It’s Utah’s job to stop them from scoring, regardless of who is and who isn’t playing.

[UtahMan17]

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

[Jim Vanderhoof]

That’s a solid “D”. Pass rush will be key. O’Toole and Fillinger need to step up. Barton is a mismatch blitzing against a RB protection. Strong safety and second DB are question marks. Hall or Richie need to step up at strong safety and hopefully someone will hold down the other corner.

Offense should keep them off the field a lot more this year. If they can gel as a unit they are good enough to get us to the CCG.

[Author]

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