[silverliningsurfer]

After the last few years, I am going to be more cautiously optimistic rather than blindly confident.

That said, until proven otherwise, we should expect the defense to have a strong baseline. On the offensive side, everyone’s been really high on Dampier thus far. If he can show out against a conference that doesn’t prioritize defense, they should score points.

The biggest question mark everyone should have is Dampier’s health. Even ignoring Rising, all of our other QBs have gotten injured over the last few years. Whether it’s the fault of the players, the offensive system, the strength & conditioning staff, or some combination of everything, we’ve seen how QB injuries can derail a season. IMO their season will depend on the health of QB1. If they have a relatively injury-free season, I think they will be right in the mix for the CCG.

[silverliningsurfer]

In its current form, it is not sustainable. There is a fine line to walk between standardizing/regulating NIL deals, and maintaining some semblance of “student-athlete” rather than players as employees of the university, or the teams basically becoming university-sponsored minor league teams.

If NIL is more regulated (e.g. players are contractually obligated for a period of time or lose a year of eligibility for transferring), Utah can still be competitive in this era. CFB just needs to remove the incentive for players to transfer schools every single offseason. In a world where Utah can remain competitive financially in say, the 2nd or 3rd tier of schools (we’ll never have Texas/Bama/OSU budgets), and players are incentivized to stay at a school longer-term, Utah’s culture can become a selling point again.

[silverliningsurfer]

I understand jacking up the prices but I think it’s a joke that the last two years have gone from:
2023: USC, Oregon, Washington, etc.
2024: Kansas State, Iowa State, Cincinnati, etc
2025: same 2024 garbage but one less game

while increasing the cost each year.

[silverliningsurfer]

I think the team’s biggest problem over the last few years is Madsen is the only guy who can come off-ball and somewhat create his own shot. The team has been too dependent on his 3pt shooting.

If he’s hot, teams have to give him attention and other guys get easier looks. If he has an off night, no one else has been able to step up.

[silverliningsurfer]

If they were to keep the huntsman it’d need a facelift. I figured they could have finagled some Olympic funds to update the arena (assuming it would be used for something in ’34) but I’m also not opposed to a new arena. My only question is where would they put it? They’re running out of old buildings on campus to tear down.

Could they buy out the LDS institute across the street and keep it with access to 400S?

[silverliningsurfer]

I don’t think there’s any legitimacy to this rumor, especially because Shadeur could get drafted by a team that’s not the Raiders.

To me, coach prime isn’t long for Colorado, but I bet he will stay an extra 1-2 years just to be able to “prove” he didn’t go there “just” for his son. If he has smart advisors around him, he won’t jump to the NFL. Him as a lightning rod HC with a strong support staff is like the perfect formula in the current CFB landscape and I doubt it’d translate to NFL players. I suspect some SEC team (LSU maybe after Kelly sucks for a few more years?) will offer him a huge bag and that’s what’ll make him leave CO.

[silverliningsurfer]

If I were Beck first thing I’d be doing is trying to convince him to stay. I know many are down on him but I think his ceiling is highest from what else is on the roster or who we could feasibly get in the portal.

[silverliningsurfer]

Allegedly boosters have agreed to 3x the current NIL allocation, whatever that was.

What will also be big for Utah in 2025 onward is revenue sharing. Our NIL budget may not match big schools but we are somewhere in the top 20 for revenue so that will hopefully help keep us somewhat competitive.

[silverliningsurfer]

I mean, Kevin O’Connell was an absolute scrub as a professional but he’s one of the best offensive coaches in the NFL right now. Historically speaking, it’s usually the guys who understand the game really well but just don’t have the physical talent to excel that become great coaches. Hell, Sean McVay is another example.

[silverliningsurfer]

As much as I think that the game is so obviously pass-heavy and being able to effectively throw the ball is important, if they can have a strong OL along with a decent RB room and mobile QB, I think they will be able to run all over this conference. B12 does not play defense.

I’m withholding on Dampier as I don’t think he’ll run for 1k yards in a P4 conference, but if he can run for a few hundred and throw play action effectively based on his running threat, we could be in business on offense. That said, we desperately need to make sure our Strength and Conditioning staff keep him healthy.

[Author]

Posts