USS Utah

Regarding the CFP. If the current system had been in place when Utah was winning two Pac-12 titles, then they would have been in the playoffs. Unfortunately for Utah, the new system coincides with the worse season in 22 years.

It’s basically unknowable, but could the season have played out differently if Rose had been named the back up instead on Wilson? At the beginning of the season you play Wilson in garbage time to get him experience to build on, but when Cam gets hurt, I think, in hindsight, you need a back up who has been in the program longer. Of course, Whit…[Read more]

The Pac was badly managed — as demonstrated by its dissolving in 2023. But joining the Pac was Utah’s Jefferson’s moment (movin’ on up). With apologies to the Big 12 — obviously better managed and still extant — the move was a lateral one from one power conference to another, and a bit of a move to a lifeboat (again, apologies to the Big 12,…[Read more]

I thought Utah could be competitive with a healthy Cam Rising. I thought Utah could at least get to bowl eligibility — like last season — without Cam. I’m not one to criticize Whit, but I think he stuck with Isaac longer that he should have before giving Rose a shot. Rose seemed to show some promise before getting hurt.

The sport is fickle.…[Read more]

The point being is that these were not Big 12 teams Utah had not played before and thus Utah was not exposed by being in the Big 12.

Becker went 3 for 3 on field goals. Just 1 FG would have made a big difference against Houston and BYU.

It just seems to me that Utah played better last year with more injuries and less talent compared to this year’s team. Which makes this losing streak so inexplicable. 3 of the losses have come to teams played last year in the Pac-12.

I think they were looking at Rose as plan B in 2023 only to see him get hurt in fall camp. They brought in Huard for 2024 only to see him get hurt in practice. They probably should have put Rose in sooner than the second half in Houston. Wilson wasn’t expected to be plan B after spring ball but apparently did enough in fall camp to beat out Rose.

Did the defense not get enough rest on the FG drive to end the 1st half and at the half?

Blocked FG returned for a TD against Baylor.

Blocked FG against TCU.

Wilson is a true freshman and the other option is Bottari. I would expect a lot of running if they go with Bottari.

So, I understand anger and frustration at the coaches. I fail to understand anger and frustration at injured players. Seems like a key difference that should be easy to grasp.

Asking questions, voicing criticism is fine. Spouting ridiculous conspiracy crap about an injured player is not.

I have had a lot of unkind thoughts this season about fans blaming or criticizing injured players because of their own ignorance, but I probably should not repeat them here. As far as I am concerned, those fans are at fault, not the coaches, regardless of how tight-lipped the coaches are.

Tell the press, tell the opponent.

Maybe its time for the entitled minority of fans to get over themselves. At least since joining the Pac-12, Utah’s practices have always been closed, interviews have always been vague and updates few, all for the sake for finding competitive advantage. Just two years ago Utah was winning its second Pac-12 title and going to its second Rose Bowl.…[Read more]

There is no question that this season has been an unmitigated disaster. OTOH, just two years ago the team was on its way to a second Pac-12 title and Rose Bowl appearance. Without living in the past, we can recognize that the program was on an upward trajectory before last season. As bad as this season has been, it could just be a temporary…[Read more]