[MacKidsAlumn]

If you have a losing or mediocre season, is a mass exodus a bad thing? Some of the guys have been way overhyped, while others have not been properly used by coaches. Either way, is it bad if they move on?

[MacKidsAlumn]

You need a good quality local high school football in your backyard to be a sleeping giant. The State of Utah outpunches its weight. Utah produces as many D1 players as Arizona, with half the population. Even with the transfer portal, you need local kids to provide depth, development, and continuity.

Looking at the Big 12. Cincinnati jumps out with access to Ohio recruiting and Kentucky recruiting on the other side of the river. Houston and UCF have access to amazing recruiting grounds, even if they are the 3rd, 4th, and 5th options for local recruits.

For me, Houston is the place that jumps out. Big city, amazing local recruits, Louisiana recruits just down the road. Lots of money and sponsors in Houston.

[MacKidsAlumn]

I had no idea Gary Crowton’s boy walked into the team as a QB.

[MacKidsAlumn]

If this were 2015, I would agree with your analysis. But in 2023, we have the transfer portal, and successful programs use it to restock lost talent. You mentioned losing TEs and Rising (QB). Our starting QB for next year might be at another program getting playing time this year. If the Utes are good this year, like we have been the last two years, they will have the chance to attract some good transfer players looking to level up and compete for a championship. The transfer portal has changed how rosters are built and how you forecast champion contenders.

[MacKidsAlumn]

I just wish the U could get its branding game together.  Athletics seems to have adopted the interlocking U, campus uses the block U, the health system uses a version of the block U, and drum and feather is still out there in some of the athletics gear.  Pick a logo, stick with it and move on. 

[MacKidsAlumn]

The thing that has been so fun to watch with Utah football has been the development of players from one year to the next. Watching teams build into contenders over the course of several years made me a year-round fan. That has been missing from the basketball program for the last 15 years.  It felt like anytime a player improved, they hit the transfer portal, and there was never team continuity.

Craig kept most of last years team together, and you can see the improvement in individuals and in the team.  This is how you get real fan interest and passion.  I’ve already caught a few games and probably will be a season ticket holder next year. 

PS: If you like basketball the WBB team is so much fun to watch, with ball movement, shooting, an amazing inside game.  Give them a chance if you haven’t this year.     

[MacKidsAlumn]

First off, this team is not rolling out a bunch of DII players. Every player getting minutes is a DI player. Most of the players on this year’s team would be welcomed on most of the teams in the PAC12. Though, they probably would be asked to play smaller/different roles. I think this is a really important thing to note when examining this year’s team. With the addition of a few players, particularly scorers, this roster could move into the middle of the conference next year. Some years the middle of the conference is good enough to make the tournament. 

I have watched most of the games this year, this is a team on the rise. They have improved throughout the year. I get watching your team lose sucks. But I don’t feel at all like I have at the end of the past few years. At the end of the last few years, I was frustrated because I felt the talent was squandered, not developed, and there was no strategy to improve. This year I think players were developed, players were stretched as they had to step into roles they were not quite ready for, and I believe there is a plan for next year. 

Finally, when you get on a message board and call a 20-something stupid, you look dumb and immature. I’m talking to you @chinngiskhaan. 

[MacKidsAlumn]

@TheMiamiUte the states of Arizona and Colorado have a larger population than Utah, but they don’t have more high school recruits than the state of Utah. Typically, Utah has more D1 recruits than both Arizona and Colorado. There are some years that’s not the case but on average Utah High school produces more D1 players.

The Big 12 is a middle-class conference. No one really has the resources to really pull ahead and leave everyone in the dust. The conference is made of teams who have at different points put together good and even great years but there is no traditional power in the conference.

[MacKidsAlumn]

The defense is trending downward. They gave up 500 + yards to UCLA. 450+ against Florida and OSU. They are trending towards giving up 600 yards today.

[MacKidsAlumn]

We are not seeing a step backwards. We are seeing a completely impotent defense. No pass rush, no discipline on the d line. This is a waste of a excellent offense.

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