Charlie

Actually, I think these FCS games are good when you view them as preseason games but they can bit you if you lose or play poorly. They are hipped up and trying hard to make an impression. In a strange way it is a taste of someone that just does not want to lose a game. Get ready because USU will bring that odd emotion to try to make some…[Read more]

Each of these plays will help us in the long run. Wilson can get the worry out of the way, learn and improve.
Rising had a couple of passes that can be improved. Part of the process of coming back from so far back.
The RBs will become more focused of how best to avoid putting the ball on the ground.
The team in general can focus better building on…[Read more]

Good grief, top teams have spots they do not want to see an injury. Most teams with great depth are mostly covered not 100% covered with starter level players. Utah and Big 12 teams are not the kind of teams that do not have thin spots behind some starters.

I am thinking 11-1 is most likely. The OSU game will key. If the Utes win they will get on a roll that will eliminate the WTF games. If the Utes lose I think they don’t lose again in the regular season.

I makes a big difference when filling in for a starter missing a game. Imagine a player that is redshirting and moving quickly in development, we have had several, then at the end of the year they have surpassed the backup but still wants to preserve the redshirt. The end of year actual depth chart often is not the same as the published chart or…[Read more]

Showing class is letting the opponent try to stop the second or third units, Second units do not run up a score, they simply play when given a chance and should have every opportunity than starters have.

Something interesting to watch. Rayshwan Glover is a new guy I didn’t see come in on the recruiting or transfer lists but is listed as the punt returner. It could be considered a good surprise. Seems to be Covey’s size, awesome he is from Texas. Myself, I like return guys that are not starters on offense or defense. They really focus on giving it…[Read more]

Some time ago it was reported that Damuni was expected back in the second part of the season. I have seen nothing to update that initial prognosis. I am going to guess that due to the experience last year with Rising and Keithe, injury return expectations will not really be communicated much and won’t be on the the hopeful side at all. I think if…[Read more]

Have not looked at this before but I see problems. As an example, Singer has his HS rating of .85 and we know he is not comparable to a freshman rated .85. We have seen players like Ellis last year or Lloyd before, blow up after coming to Utah. Imagine how Lloyd is rated his last year since players not in the portal have their original rating.…[Read more]

I am hopeful. I was on the initial committee to improve fan experience at the stadium 7 or 8 years ago and this was expected long ago. I would think if you could connect a campus full of students on a school day it would only take some simple additions to extend that connectivity over to the stadium for a game day. Maybe Tony understands the…[Read more]

A couple of positions have extra starters. With Richie, Johnson and Gilman hopefully one can play both safety positions so the rotation can approach even. Same with DE with Fano Fillinger and O’Toole. When Damuni comes back, lots of LBers for the base defense. Rotations that benefit the end of the year need to start early. Maybe the defense stays…[Read more]

There are different flavors of 3-3-5 defense. But for the most part the set is lighter and used to cover 4 WRs giving up something to stop the running game. Going the other way, those defenses may not be used to 12 and 13 TE packages that run or pass. Runs can seem like a lot of bigger bodies running at them than they are used to. On passing downs…[Read more]

I think the stadiums on road games will not be a big factor. It is so helpful that both the offense and defense set callers have already experienced getting everyone lined up and in assignment before in hostel and loud stadiums. The only exception is QB2 which is common and Loma. I expect Loma is getting much attention and is working with the LG.…[Read more]

George Patton reminds us the other side has a plan also. I don’t simply expect us to roll thru the season without issues but I think we start the season with an above average number of things going for us. We need to do as well as everyone else, finish in the top two and win the CCG to go to the playoffs for the first time. That makes the playoffs…[Read more]

Last I heard he was an expected mid season return, maybe late season. I have no idea if he could take a year off and come back later. If it is indeed a long season with multiple post season games, he will be a great help for keeping the LBs fresh.

I wonder how much Lohner will help. I expect he will be playing football into January, may not practice with the BB team much any sooner. With the time he put into summer getting ready for fall practice with FB he is setting up for a long busy year. It helps that he is older and has played a lot of college BB.

It does not work to simply give all As. However, I think there may not be any let up when QB2 comes in. We may have the best QB2 that we have had in years. The OL may not be an A but I don’t expect them to hold us back. We will be happier with the RBs mid season than we are currently. The LBer group will be A+ when Damuni returns at some point.…[Read more]

Bernard is a very capable back. His last year, 2022, he had a pitch count but was effective when in. I think he is somewhere between the 2022 workload and a bit more. He is as good as any at picking up a blitz. So I expect to see others involved a bunch. Glover has not excited us to date, I need to see if the reports of improvement translate to…[Read more]

Question on Lohner. Does he have 2 years of football. I’m thinking 2020 is a mulligan because of Covid and also thinking changing sports provides a fifth year.

I agree. The list has been around for several years. If you revisit this preseason list in November you will see that maybe a couple of Y players would pernitrate the Utah starters plus 8 or 10. But I also note that Hans and Scotty don’t ever try to do the list at the end of the season. Keeping the perception of parity up somewhat.