Rick

I’ve posted this before. Woods arrived at Utah with a partially torn ACL. I don’t know what has happened by way of surgery or not to repair the ligament. He played his final game at Idaho on the injured knee. I’m not sure that they (Idaho) knew how serious the injury was at the time.

I guess that I’m more positive than many on the board about Mitchell. I don’t think we saw near enough from him Saturday to sit in judgement. Reports I’ve received from practice are quite positive. To my eyes, there were no holes to hit yesterday on his runs. He still managed to follow blockers who got a strong push twice for first downs.

Anyway,…[Read more]

Come on Red,
Hope springs eternal. It’s part of being a Utah football fan.

Actually, I do think we have reason to be optimistic with Singer, Lyons and Pittman. Although, their success largely depends on a healthy Cam Rising. I noted something Vele said yesterday at the Pro Day. He spoke of a “vanilla offense” last year. That cannot be the case…[Read more]

I wonder about news on Woods – the runningback. Nothing in the press about him. Kyle was effusive about Mitchell and he named a few others. Is Woods injured? I would have expected something about him given his success last season.

What’s interesting is that the ACC would get a larger payout than the Big 12. Absolutely crazy.

The jubilation that day in the student section was special. Because of the offense, I thought we’d be in the game. What I didn’t expect was the aggression of the defense that day. Thanks for bringing back a sweet memory.

Game time decision – announced on by Bill Riley this afternoon.

Matt,
Perhaps the best setting for a stadium in college football. Washington on a beautiful day is quite a setting as well.

Like MD said, not a good actual stadium and I’ll take Utah’s game day over the Y’s, although I only get to a game once every other season or so. I understand the Y’s been working on the experience so I’m certainly not as…[Read more]

Yes Eagle – sorry, I get ahead of myself too often on the keyboard.

You are correct that Alex did a courtesy interview. I can also tell you that Harlan, under pressure of several key alums, tried for another conversation. Alex was so underwhelmed from the first interview that he declined.

That was tough to know at the time but no fault of Coach…[Read more]

It won’t happen now but another candidate emerged when Harlan fired Smith. Porter Moser reached out and got no response. The word that got to me is he wanted the Utah job over Oklahoma. Harlan proactively pursued Smith, which certainly makes some sense; but he was blind to the interest of Moser and Randy Bennett (who also reached out through…[Read more]

Can I quibble with your language a little Proud?

I’d say it’s “a foundation” not “the foundation.” I had a conversation with a coach a few years ago about team construction. He commented that coaches try to be aware of a “thirds construction.” They try for a balance of Caucasian, Black and Polynesian. One of his comments was that if they get too…[Read more]

Candidate for the all-name team at Utah if he commits. That’s as fun to say for a broadcaster as Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala or Nate Fakahafua. Come on up to the mountains Bulabalavu.

I agree with you tanute. The foul issues alone warrant bringing Keita off the bench besides the need for scoring and even a little different play coming off the bench. Worster with Keita brings a five that can punch people in the mouth.

Of course, I never take Smith out of the game except perhaps a minute before the 8 minute television timeouts each half.

I’m listing Kuithe because I think he’ll play all over the place and, in the end, may be considered more of a receiver than a tight end. That said, it’s absolutely correct to include Ryan and King. Utah has all kinds of playmakers in the pass game.

I think we have a strong one:

-Singer
-Parks
-McClain
-Pittman
-Kuithe
-Lyons
-Caldarella
-Zipperer
-Mbanason
-D Washington (Fr)

That’s quite a list and I’m missing one or two. If Washington and Lyons play up to potential we’ll have a highly competitive receiver room and easily an eight-man rotation. In fact, I think we’ll lose a few after…[Read more]

Most interesting to me viewing these highlights is that he made plays against all of the bigs in the Pac-12 in 2022. I didn’t see anything against Utah but I did against everyone else. I think we have a player that if he gets man coverage, Rising will be looking for him.

Preach brother!

I love that Kyle Whittingham, his staff and players have risen the Utah program to this level of expectation.

I don’t think Fano will be ready to go at the beginning of the season but I do agree that we’ll still be strong at defensive end. The starters – O’Toole and Filinger, will be strong if they can stay healthy. Both struggled to stay healthy this season. John-Henry Daley has all kinds of potential and their are three or four other players vying for…[Read more]

Scalley and Johnson himself have said in news stories that he’s been getting reps in practice and in a few games at nickel, corner and at safety. Miles Battle complimented Johnson’s on-field intelligence and work ethic in a recent story.

It will be interesting to watch spring competition in the defensive backfield. I tend to think Hall will move…[Read more]

Pretty impressive two-deep. A couple of thoughts. I’ve heard some talk that Togiai could end up at an opposite tackle spot to Fano. It will be interesting to see how the line shakes out. I think Lomu moves into a starting spot somewhere. On paper, I love the O’line depth.

I hope Logan Fano returns this season but it’s nice to see the kind of…[Read more]