What needs to improve to take that next step?

[Yergensen]

We’re not winning the P5 non-conference games. We’re not getting thru conference schedule unblemished. Is the needed solution/improvement as simple as coaching and culture continuity with year over year improvement in recruiting? That’s what has gotten us to this level. It’s a gradual process/grind for sure. On the other hand there isn’t much, if anything, separating us from TCU. Maybe we’re close and just need to keep knocking at the door.

[RoboUte]

The recruiting class we just had is step 1. So check

Step after that is getting our NIL bribery machine up and running.

[AlohaUte]

1. WR playmakers. None of them can get separation.

2. A better pass defense scheme

3. Real QB depth

4. Players to not opt out of the Rose Bowl

[UteFanatic]

Utah is getting more talented each and every year. We just nabbed a top 20 recruiting class for the first time ever. The most glaring thing is the lack of elite wide receivers.

This is the one area that has been devoid of talent for too long now and it’s not getting better. It’s awesome when we have elite TEs and they stay healthy, but guys that get utilized a lot tend to get injured. So when the TE room inevitably got depleted due to injury, the passing game fall off a cliff.

Had we had a few good WRs to help carry the receiving load, that would have helped a lot.

Utah is so, so close to breaking through to that next level. But just isn’t there yet. They may never get there, to be honest.

[EagleMountainUte]

Utah got beat. It happens. Not sure what next step there is.
My father in law said Utah looked like a MWC team. I immediately responded with no. Utah won its bowl games in the MWC.

[stbone]

The team is still trending up, and consistently improving. We don’t have the depth of a top program yet, but our depth is much better than it was a decade ago. We had weakness up the middle on the defense at LB and at safety. Fix these issues, and this is a much better team. Also, not having a top TE threat today was brutal.

This was a disastrous rebuilding year – disastrous in that the rebuilding on the offensive side was unfortunate and avoidable. But, we now have a loaded RB room, a well developed DL, strong CB’s, and a very bright future at safety (Vaki and Ritchie). Assuming Kuithe, Vele, and Rising come back, next year should be a great team.