Jim Vanderhoof

By Whitts own admission they didn’t adjust the schemes with a much bigger turnover of players. The offense and defense were complicated and took time to learn. Having 4-5 years to groom players it worked. Player development was the coaches calling card.

The NIL Portal era has changed that philosophy. Freshman and transfers need to be ready i…[Read more]

I got frustrated last year with our lack of passing. So I zeroed in on the receivers. Every team had 8 in the box to stop the run and pressure the QB leaving 1 on 1 battles on the outside. Arizona especially there was a lot of grabbing and holding. I saw little or no separation. Wilson would hold the ball hoping his main target would break open…[Read more]

The last few years it seems the injury bug has hit the D line and DEs. Depth will be crucial. Hopefully there are a couple guys in the pipeline that just need an opportunity to prove themselves. WR has been a problem for a few years. I think the complicated scheme on offense played a role. More stacked sets and motion in the spread to help get…[Read more]

I’m not LDS and grew up in Salt Lake and attended the U. Here’s my 2 cents. As an outsider looking in the LDS faith is very strange. The kids growing up that looked down on me for not being LDS were more likely BYU fans (not all). The LDS kids that didn’t care were more likely Utah fans. I have many close LDS friends that I still play golf and h…[Read more]

If BYU has another successful season they will try and lock him up more long term. Hill has made a huge difference since his arrival. Kalani will struggle without him. If BYU struggles this year and Whitt retires it might open the door to get him back. It depends on where his heart is at. A few extra $$$ might help solve the heart issue.

He is a key piece this year. Big enough to get through arm tackles. Spreading the field and a good experienced o-line will open some lanes unlike last year. The running back that transferred from NM along with Dampier should help him with the scheme. All the skill level players are stepping up to a higher level of competition and much better…[Read more]

I have the same feeling Holladay. I think last year left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. The older leaders Barton Snowden Dumani Johnson on defense. An experienced offensive line can lead as a unit. Add lots of skilled athletes on offense. I have sensed a positive vibe going after spring ball. The team seems more together and highly motivated. T…[Read more]

It will be interesting how they do this year with a target on their backs. They have gotten all the publicity this off season. Big12 podcasters are making them out to be the new Big 12 darlings. We occupied that spot last year and were not the darlings but the cocky hated pac 12 wannabes. Teams were highly motivated to beat us. We were despised…[Read more]

It comes down to who has the deeper pockets. Is Utahs pockets maxed out or are there certain donors you can go to for a big name player? BYU is highly motivated to surpass the Utes and gain national attention. Right now I’d say they have the deeper pockets.

We have no honor code and a normal college experience. Big advantage for non LDS p…[Read more]

I would make Jay Hill a priority for DC. I think he comes back home for equal or more money. BYU will not be outbid!! He is worshipped in Provo. Their donors won’t let that happen. He would have taken the Utah State job if it wasn’t for transfer portal and NIL. Tough to win at USU without a large NIL budget. He will get some lucrative offers nex…[Read more]

Utahs success teamed with BYUs lack of national notoriety has been eating at their fans for many years. Getting in the Big12 put them back on equal footing with us. Suddenly $$ starts playing a major factor in team success. The theme has changed from “we won’t allow pay for play” to “we won’t be outbid”.

Suddenly getting non-LDS and top LDS rec…[Read more]

Do you say O-fense or offense?

Well said ALUF.

I agree Beach. It’s hard to cheer when you have nothing to cheer about. The return of Rising and a favorable schedule. Plus a possible final year for Whitt. It set up a possible CFP run. Most fans (me) drank the koolaide and just the opposite happened. Back to back years of boring no offense football that was not fun to watch. The Arizona game w…[Read more]

I’ve watched Utah football many years Ute Thunder and the only two teams that hurt us last year CU passing and ASU running
( both pac 12). I didn’t see any other offenses that looked that great to me. Pac12 had way better QBs and spread the field with playmakers.

I think we match up better in the Big12. The Qb rooms look stronger this year so…[Read more]

Much different recruiting base. The PAC 12 had California Arizona Utah Oregon and Washington and now Texas as their hotspots. Lots of inner city and large numbers to pick from. More speed and athleticism in skill positions. The Big12 has a Texas-Midwest recruiting. More physical and hard working easy to coach recruits. Similar to what Utah has…[Read more]

I call BS. If a player is not in the portal and has agreed to the value assigned by the university he should be under contract. NIL should deal with advertising and using the players name and likeness to sell jerseys and promote business and products. NIL is just a way around play for pay. If you think your value is higher enter the portal and…[Read more]

Total BS. If agents can contact other agents and offer more $$ isn’t that tampering? What’s the difference? These players can get offers without being in the portal. Why enter the portal? Shop around and find the best offer then enter the portal.

The system isn’t working. It is only benefiting the players and agents at the cost of the unive…[Read more]

A less complicated offense and a new face running it should get us to 8-4 9-3. Last year left a bad taste in the mouths of coaches and returning players. Please don’t over use Dampier and Parker we need them down the stretch. Spread offense means spread the ball around to others.

Well said Miami. We have always been the U. Miami is the 70’s -80’s version. I guess Im old school but I like the drum and feather and our affiliation with the Ute tribe. I think it’s awesome that they are able to perform their dances and culture at a game each year. Respect and understanding is a better solution than crying racism for both parti…[Read more]