Honest Concern

College football has always been a player carousel.
The carousel is simply moving a bit faster in the transfer era.

Players have always come and gone, with limited eligibility and aspirations to leave and play in the NFL.
There have been plenty of Utah players who only really had one good year; that doesn’t mean they weren’t exciting.

Sure it’s disappointing when players leave; however, we’ve never had a player stay forever.

I’m in the same spot you are and this upcoming season might be my last as a season ticket holder. I have no problem with athletes getting paid but there need to be some guardrails instituted to bring stability to college sports. You cannot have eternal and constant free-agency if you want fans to remain connected and involved with a team. This is something that the pros figured out a long time ago. However, they were probably able to do so because their athlete footprint is on a much smaller scale. I don’t know what else to say, but what is taking place now isn’t working for me. I used to know the entire starting roster by heart. Now, they’re just strangers to me.

You guys nailed it: there aren’t any teams in the BigXII (including TDS) that I am excited to beat. I’m bummed that the feeling I got with those absolute wars with USC will never happen again. Also, we spent all winter stressed out about what players were going to get poached away from us. At some point, instead of whining, I’m just going to go away.

Said a few times that USC and Utah had many memorable exciting close games, lots of them settled in the closing seconds, with both teams enjoying their share of being on the happy side of the scoreboard.

Sadly may not see them face each other again for some time.

The past two years have been hard to watch. Injuries, poor coaching decisions, NIL, transfer portal, late games and escalating ticket prices have tapped me out. First time since the early 70’s I did not renew my season tickets.

It has been a phenomenal run for me. Going with my dad then my daughter and my grandkids. The lows then highs have been fun to watch. In the end it’s time for someone else to enjoy my seats and hopefully have 50+ years of being there to cheer on the Utes. I will be there in spirit and become an armchair quarterback.

My advice to all Ute fans: support the team and program. Don’t set expectations to high and go enjoy a Saturday afternoon or evening with friends and family to create some everlasting memories. And one more thing: Go Utes!!

IF UTAH WINS THE CONFERENCE TITTLE, AND MAKES SOME NOISE IN THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR, FO SURE THEY GET AN INVITE TO THE B10, AND EVERYTHING WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL. AS LONG AS BY-WHO STAYS THE HELL OUT, THIS IS THE BEST CASE SENARIO.

I think it’s important to know what you can influence versus what you cant influence. At least IMO. Show up with friends and family, have a good time, enjoy the food, etc. Whoever you showed up as won’t be changed following the game because of the outcome. The transfer portal doesn’t help, but even before the current era it isn’t like Gionni Paul or Eric Weddle could’ve stayed forever.

It’s interesting to me how some pine for the P12. I had my fill of that nonsense conference. Poorly managed, s**t start times, horrible officiating, zero reputational bump, terrible money, and a sad mix of haves and have nots. If your name wasn’t USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington, or Arizona the P12 didn’t give a s**t about you. It’s no wonder it folded, everyone in it, including the anointed ones, couldn’t wait to get out. But I get it if I’m in the minority, after all I’ve lived in the midwest for most of my adult life, so I’m excited about the team coming east rather than west.

However, I also think the point is moot if the NCAA doesn’t figure out a way to incorporate some sort of contract to the NIL that at least gives the school and fan base some expectation that the players they pay big bucks for are actually going to stick around for a couple of years. Just as I’m a fan of players getting paid because they are ostensibly adult professionals, I’m also a fan of them having obligations tied to that money that lasts more than 1 season. The small market team that takes a flyer on a midlevel recruit that blossoms, should at least get the benefit of find for the subsequent year if they are willing to sign a 2 year deal.

Oddly enough, I had the opposite reaction to seeing all the unfamiliar names. While I’m not really happy with the NIL situation, I’m thrilled that we have finally moved on from Rising. I don’t have any issues with him, but I am glad we’ve moved on. I’m excited to see what Beck and Dampier can accomplish with better talent around them.

I will admit that I’m a little skeptical of that surrounding talent, BUT I think our solid offensive line will go a long way in making them look good.

Biggest concern for me is staying healthy, because our depth has really taken a hit over the last couple of years.