Jim Vanderhoof

The older coaches Whitt and Ludwig looked worn out. NIL, transfer portal, signing day and throw a bowl game in there too. Thats on top of a rough season. Too much to ask for older coaches. Scalley had the defense ready to play. Besides the mis coverage by Ritchie on the first touchdown the defense played great. Defense should be good next year.…[Read more]

Good post Data. I’m seeing the same thing. A win would be a huge springboard in to next year.

Krindor appreciate your thoughtful and well researched posts. I see you on CB as well. It’s nice to see some intelligent non biased posts from a cougar. I’m a die hard Ute but still like to read posts from knowledgeable fans of any team.

I just hope coach Smith gets him more minutes. I know he trusts Wooster with the ball. Seems our offense becomes stagnate as the game wears on. We have shooters but nobody to set them up. Our half court offense is not good at the end of games. Wooster is our only reliable ball handler and everyone watches him dribble until the clock runs out.…[Read more]

Good analogy proud Ute!! You summed it up nicely. Only question mark for me is the play of the safeties. Luckily for us it doesn’t look like they are a spread the field make you tackle in space type of team. They will try and test the safeties early that might be our only weakness.
Our front 7 should play well with Reid and Damani (sp) at l…[Read more]

Maybe the “ honor code” will make him a better man and member. Much love to the Asiata family. They have been a great addition to the Utah family.

I would not describe him as a beast. He is 5”11 185. Looks more like a scat back. Quick fast and allusive. Similar size to Randle. Looks like a good addition to the RB room. Hopefully he can catch the ball.

If JJ leaves we need another real beast. Big back in the 230 lb range. It was obvious we lacked RB size when JJ was out. Glover is too small.

Looks like we are pretty solid for the game. Big differences from the regular season is safeties and WRs. Offensive line and safeties should give us a glimpse of what to expect next year at those positions. QB and WRs will be different next year.

I hope something gives Miami. This level of money and disarray is not sustainable. A friend of mine was a big donor at Utah State for years. He said every year they hit him up for more. He felt pressured and finally walked away completely. The money being paid out to 18-21yr olds (now 25-26) could go a long ways towards providing shelter and…[Read more]

JJ is a huge part of the offense. 4+ yards on first down makes us more difficult to defend. RBs with his size and speed don’t come around often.

It’s hard to put a value on his worth. If he stays healthy and puts up big numbers and we get to the CFP then he’s worth it. If he gets hurt or we have another8-4 year he isn’t worth it. If we only ha…[Read more]

I agree palos verdes. Cut Loveridge Bajema and Erickson minutes down. We need more athleticism.

I wish I was that confident. We have to replace 2 all American safeties. Road games in the Big 12 are hostile environments. Pittman-McClain doesn’t exactly strike any fear. Losing Matthew’s was a big loss. I hope you’re right with your assessment. We need some portal love!!

Good points PNW. I would also add that Rose hasn’t played at all yet. Throwing him in to a bowl game might be asking too much. Northwestern is a big ten program. They would make things really hard for him.

Playing on national tv we need to look like a balanced offense to lure some receivers in.

We need to go all in with Smith. We need him this year. If he is as good as some have claimed it would be a big addition. If we had a quick athletic point guard that could finish games we are a tournament team for sure.

Safeties are a big concern for next year. Hopefully we’ll get a glimpse in the Vegas bowl of Hall and Ritchie. Solid everywhere else. Offensively same story at receiver and TE. Kuithe would be big and Pittman is still unknown. The biggest concern next year might be depth. We were deep at every position except QB last year. That turned out to be a…[Read more]

Players like Bishop and Vaki are hard to find. Bummer we couldn’t get them to stay 1 more year to make a playoff run. Safeties are key to the defense.

I agree. I keep hearing scrimmage and nobody is playing. I wouldn’t be surprised if at least 15 of the starters in the Vegas bowl start next year. It’s a head start for next for some of new starters to get some playing time and impress their position coaches. I’m anxious to see how they play.

I might agree more with you eagle if everyone was coming back. I see 6-8 open spots next year. Second on the depth chart move up. They will be hungry to prove to the coaches they are ready. Barnes I agree unless he is considering staying.

I’d rather have everyone back next year and not take a chance on injury. They are gone and need replaced. W…[Read more]

Proud Ute posted 12/08 that Whitt said in his presser that Rose could play without losing eligibility. Barnes would start Rose and Bottari would back up. Seems to be some confusion.

I don’t see this game as a scrimmage. I see the young guys out to prove they are ready to start next year. Northwestern will be pumped so we better be ready to a…[Read more]