[Isaac]

On the Utah fans discrediting the Big 12, you’re right it’s not and wasn’t ever a good look. But remember there’s history there. In the years leading up to the end of the PAC-12, there were a lot of comparisons to the other conferences and the Big-12 and other CFB fans minimized any accomplishments from the PAC-12 saying it was the weakest conference. Because Utah was one of the top teams for the latter half of the PAC-12, you can see why some fans would take offense to that.

[Utah5410]

I do agree with many of these points. Health is always an issue for any team.

But DD is not Risng (injury wise I mean), of course he could get hurt. But thus far he has not show me to be injury prone.

Again, I think many of you undervalue how tough it is to win @ RES.

ASU, TT, KSU, CU all come here.

I could see us losing to Baylor, Kansas, and I’m sure one other road game.

We are not losing to TDS This year. Bookmark that.

I think 9-3 is very real.

[D T]

Everything hinges on remaining relatively healthy, particularly at QB, which we know all too well from the last two years.

The best thing about DD’s time at UNM last year? He played in all 12 games AND was sacked just five times.

Hopefully, that durability/“escapability” transferred with him, as I believe we’ll have an extremely successful season, IF he remains on the field, throughout.

#GOUTES!

[Jim Vanderhoof]

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 find out. What is the point of the portal if recruiting is going on all year? Tampering has to be enforced or the whole system is broke. If Snowdens agent is being contacted by another agent representing another school offering more money regardless of pay for play or NIL and he is not in the portal that is tampering period.

Can you imagine what professional sports would be like with the current college rules?

[HATUman]

Drink the Cool-aid brother!!!

[HATUman]

This offense is supposedly much less complicated that Ludwig’s, and a good QB, that already has the playbook down will make the transition much less bumpy than why we will be up against in Pasadena in a couple months. I’m high on DD, people are down on him because he had 12 picks last year… he also had a horrific o-line and no time to throw. I’m sure he’ll make a few ill advised throws, but I think ints drop and tds rain supreme (misspelling intentional).

[Uteanooga]

The trickiest player with which to install the new offense is the decision making QB- and it isn’t new for him. So I am hoping that instilling the new offense will be easier than in the past.

[HATUman]

Yeah, I’d wait till day of and buy a ticket on site or from Gametime.

[Charlie]

Myself, I lean more toward the first take.

I expect the OL to be much better. All have another year of development. Lomu in particular will be better coming from just beginning with playing time to the player he became at the end of the year. I see the most settled OL that I have see in forever. QB1 is better and I expect that the offensive coaching is improved.

The defense will be better simply because of the return of Damuni and Barton. This defense is keyed by the LBer group and having these two back at peak level will be greater than the remaining issues that need work. The CBs are unknowns but will be working with a very good safety group and has the all important slot CB solid.

I agree the WR group is a huge question. Oddly, I wish we had Lohner for a second year but Andrews may also become a surprise but with more yards after catch. Johnson is to me, a pleasant unknown.

Parker looks to be an addition we needed but I will miss Bernard. I have no read on the others however Utah has often had RBs rise to the top of new comers often enough to almost assume it is likely again.

A big problem solved in the offseason… I was sensing odd coaching chemistry spilling over from 23 that clearly became unworkable in 24, all that stress. I am feeling that is all behind us and I expect the reset to provide a very nice bump in positive energy that will make everything across the board maybe about 22% better.

But I am an optimist.

[Rick]

BeachUte,
Overall, you may be right – I think 8-4 is a good year, 9-3 creeping toward great. Both of those records seem to make sense to me.

I don’t agree with your defense point – too much is coming back to call it an overhaul. Gents, Lander Barton may be the best defensive player in the Big-12 this season. Just like Dampier on offense, we need him healthy. Lander is a special player. We thought he’d be there last season and we didn’t get that player until the last few games. Now add Damuni back with Jonathan Hall playing with them and behind them. The linebacking corp is terrific.

I agree that depth on the D’line could be an issue but the experience of the starters at both tackles and at right end is terrific – that’s three of four starting positions. Our safeties are two of the better ones in the conference with Tao Johnson a sure pro. Cornerback is the question mark. Utah seemed to load up there in the offseason to create a strong competition for the starting positions. I’m not going to equate an inexperienced cornerback room with a defensive overhaul.

Utah’s defense will be one of the best in the league and in the country again.

[Author]

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