[Jim Vanderhoof]

BYU fans embraced the Big 12 and were thrilled to get in. Some Utah fans made it sound like we were above the Big 12. BYU fans jumped on that premise posing as Ute fans. Then we lay an egg in the first season. Last year we had a target on our backs. BYU had a good year and will get their fans back to being obnoxious. The target is on them this year.

[lgt4141]

The easiest way to fix this problem
Is for Utah to win a lot!

[Jim Vanderhoof]

Million dollar question. How good is Nico? 6’5 220 with big arm and running skills. Former 5 star from Southern California coming back home to play. Led Tennessee to the CFP last year as a redshirt freshman. He played good early but struggled at times late. I don’t think he has the weapons at UCLA that Tennessee had. Could be a QB showdown. Similar to us lots of new faces on offense. Good time to get them early in the year. It will be good test to see where we stand win or lose.

[tarheelute]

I want say I am “not drinking the cool-aid”, however, I always drink a little (or a lot) before the first game. I am cautiously optimistic, considering what I see as a return to the hard-nosed defense priority, albeit with a hope that the offense is heading in a positive direction.

An away game, but I expect the Ute defense to be ready, Utah 34, UCLA 27. One or more of the Ute defenders will get that interception that puts an end to the UCLA nonsense.

[ProudUte]

I’m unsure what to expect since there are so many unknowns for both teams. I do not have high expectations at this point, but I do have high hopes.

1. I hope our very experienced and talented Oline helps our offense be very productive.
2. I am excited to see what our new QB and RB can do.
3. Has Scalley and the Dline coaches developed some new talent at the Dline.
4. I hope our talented LBs can stay healthy.

Since our team is so new and we have new offensive coaches, it’s hard to know how they will perform against P4 talent. This game could tell us a lot about the identity of our team.

Go Utes!!!

[2008 National Champ]

I don’t have any predictions for the game but I do have some concerns that I will be watching for during fall camp.

1. Center of lines: Utah is returning all starters on the O Line, but the interior has gotten beaten badly the last two years. On the other side, Utah is replacing the 3 who got the most time at DT the last two years with people that didn’t beat them out. I don’t feel like Utah can control this game if there are camp injuries and/or mediocre performances between the Tackles.

2. Receivers: I need to hear repeatedly that they are making plays. Let me rephrase, I need to hear repeatedly that they are dominating the DB’s and making all the 50/50 plays. Even then I might not believe it. But I won’t feel good about this group if we’re just getting the standard so-an-so is looking good and starting to separate. I need to start hearing that multiple guys are uncoverable.

3. Health: Utah just can’t have another fall camp with multiple starters beat up. Granted, we won’t hear about camp injuries until late October. But if Parker spends the season limping off the field like Jackson did in 2023 or they have to start the season with the 3rd string Center it could get ugly in a hurry.

First game of the year is tough on everyone. On paper 2022 Utah was better than Florida and they laid an egg. I don’t see this years team having that same advantage on UCLA and Utah is notorious for limiting the play sheet game one so it will come down to execution. For me to believe that Utah can go down there and win handily, I need to hear that the offense is making the D look silly in camp. I trust Scalley to get his guys where they need to be when it matters. I haven’t had that same belief from the offense since 2004.

[Charlie]

I get your concern about the unknowns on offense but you may be placing the bar too high. In the past we have had success without dominating the DBs and have not had to make all the 50/50 plays. I think, like in the past, the passing game needs to be competitive against the pass defense and make their share of plays. Against our own DBs my hope is they make their share of plays. We do need to limit injuries and I expect the coaches are making adjustments to the thin line between being ready for game contact and protecting players. Last, I think the new OC and new offense is different enough that there is no reason to expect the same shortcomings. It is not a given that Beck is successful but it is a given that the offense will be different. But myself, I come from an optimistic place with unknowns, not thru analysis but because I simply enjoy spending more time thinking about how success comes rather than what I expect to go wrong. Much like teams my family were on. Now for random other teams, I do become less optimistic.

[2008 National Champ]

No doubt on that! I’ve wanted him to play a Percy Harvin role since I saw his HS Soph tape before he got on campus and I’ve got the downvotes to prove it.

Many moons ago, HS QB’s were really only suited to being the Quarterback. Now, they are typically the best athlete on the team that can also throw. And if you look at the success Whitt has had moving those types around, it’s not only helped the team but their careers. Off the top of my head: Jackson, Christopher, Hansen, Covey and Blechen all did more at their new positions than they ever would have as QB.

Johnson has all the physical tools to be a great QB. And I’m sure he’s nice to old people and dogs, even when the cameras aren’t on. But “going through progressions” has two parts, recognizing the right place to throw it and delivering a catchable ball on time. He was poised and did that against Baylor. His feet were in cement and he threw two-hoppers after that. I’ll jump out of my chair if he delivers a 40 yard ball off a reverse but I don’t ever want to see him under center unless it’s “break glass in case of emergency time”. Or someone has the bright idea to try Wilson again.,, whichever comes first.

[Chasqui]

My bad bro! Never said he should be our starter. Just trying to make a point that he can go through progressions. Is he the best? No. There is a reason he isn’t playing qb. We all saw that. But if you have a guy who has that experience in my opinion a defense has to respect it. He can be used as a weapon in many ways.

[2008 National Champ]

don’t need the highlights. I watched that game. And then I watched the UCLA game. And then I watched the first half of Oregon State. Where was that advanced progression reading ability after Baylor?

If the outlier from a sample set of mainly negative outcomes is extremely positive, it’s probably best not to ignore the most common outcomes and assume that the outlier is the true representation. There’s a really good reason he got benched at Utah, got beat out at Vandy, and is now trying his hand as a slot/rb hybrid.

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