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[Charlie]

Recruiting with open transfer and NIL will be interesting to watch. Utah has been very good with development but in the new world players that need development will be competing more directly with players ready to go today. As an example, paying for a player for 4 years to get a 2 year player may not be as common even if developing players don’t require much NIL. Development may occur more at the G5 level where playing time comes quicker and it is easy to move to the level you develop to even if it is multiple transfers. Going the other way, I think we will see even fewer players at a school for 4 years without cracking the 2 deep roster. It is already in motion.

[Charlie]

We may have had a chance to get Chandler if not for Rose to Kentucky. On the plus side, Rose to Kentucky gives Utah the best chance in 50 years to beat Kentucky. Looking forward to that rematch.

[Charlie]

Sure, if everything goes wrong for Utah and well for the rest of the B12, we could fall to 8 or 9 wins. Or injuries may be spread evenly and that would put Utah in the championship game. What B12 team does not have thin spots? The other front runners, Az has plenty to work thru over the summer with their changes. OSU and the Kansas schools are generally behind Utah in the preseason outlooks. I don’t feel the rest of the conference will pressure us. Do we know a contender that does not have thin spots or questions?

The RBs only lack the big guy thru the A gap for short yardage but there are other ways to pick up the line to gain. We often have a surprise in the RB group so that has a chance to be improved. Too many new opponents to plan for, well they also have 4 new P12 teams plus the regular rotation to deal with as well. The schedule feels like a MWC one with 2 maybe 3 bumps to get over. I am not seeing a Oregon St/Washington/Oregon/SC kind of game coming. Utah has 2 very good LBs, play 2 in the base D, will get Damuni back at some point, and usually develop another each year. I like the WRs and with the TEs and Bernard coming out of the backfield, I expect the passing game will do fine.

I don’t know if our QB2 or QB3 is any worse than any other team’s but I am quite fine with our QB1. The only contenders we play is Az and Oklahoma State with only one on the road, followed by 2 byes and a whole second half of non contenders.

You know I lean into an optimist but maybe we could relax and think about guys new to the rotation that will surprise. Lomu? Johnson? Singer? Lyons? Pittman? Calhoun? I think our DEs will take pressure off our CBs.

[Charlie]

Currently, no power back. Third and short may see plays to the edge with TEs involved with the ball or blocking. If the box spreads out, QB sneak. I prefer access to a big back but there are other things in the workaround plan. Ball control is more difficult. A QB that does not hesitate can throw on 3rd and short.

[Charlie]

This may be a longshot if looking for help rowing the boat.

[Charlie]

2023 was a strange year where we struggled to pass the ball. Next year I think we return to ideal with 50% passing, he may have needed to wait. I think 50/50 with a very good RB benefits WRs more than an offense that passes most of the time.

[Charlie]

Lots of smaller, quick I assume, backs. Not a great need, however a short yardage back would be nice. Bernard has had a pitch count hamper him, however when in he is as good a combo, run-block-release back as can be found. Without the limitations he could already have been RB1, lets hope for good health.

[Charlie]

Yes, someone that can handle the ball when expecting a foul.

[Charlie]

He is a great RB no doubt. Whitt has been good at managing second chances, however so soon after TT he may still have some PTSD related to player issues. Oregon is more lenient than Utah with a limit of .8 vs .5 in Utah. I went to a game at Oregon a few years ago and I was quite surprised to stop at a gas station with a deli and next to the cashier was a beer tap sticking out of the wall and you could get a draft to go in a solo cup. Small town, parking at the pump.

[Charlie]

Or maybe you can see a QB complete in a tight window. That angle requires the DB to slow to see the ball unless he is part owl. Turning to the left the DB is playing position to tackle, if he turned to the right the chance to bat the ball increases but if he misses he may give up a TD. I assume Rising understands the angle.