[Jim Vanderhoof]

Listening to Scalley and Whitt interviews they were disappointed in the turnover numbers. They have been working hard at practice in stripping the ball and anticipating the throws more. The Big 12 seems to allow more contact on the outside receivers. Pass rush is crucial to get turnovers. Our pass rush was subpar last year. I expect the streak to extend.

[CityCreekUte]

The only thing I want from qb2 is for them to never see the field if the game isn’t already decided.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

I agree. In the past Whitt has a tendency for over using a RB or QB that can wear them down early. Moss and Huntley were worn down in 2019 at the end of the season when we needed them most. Be safe with Dampier. Make sure he is not being over used in the run game early in the season. Dampier can pick his spots to make plays and rely on his legs when needed.

[Onlyu]

I’m optimistic about where the group is and expect a bounce back season in potentially big way. I think this is a 9 win team with a chance at more – need a bounce or two but because of the o-line (Moko at RG) and mobility with Dampier.
I think the WR’s will be a pleasant surprise but mostly because we’re gonna be able to run the hell out of the ball and that includes Dampier. Decent talent at WR (deeper overall than last year BUT yet to be seen if Tobias is a 1). Opposing defenses are really going to have to focus on stopping the run and that should open up plenty of opportunities throwing the ball.

Think Tyler Huntley/Zach Moss type offense and I think you’ll have a decent idea of what we will look like (minus heavy TE sets). The caveat is that our O-line is better now imo and that gives us a chance to win the league if we stay healthy at QB and to a lesser degree RB. This O-line beats Oregon with Herbert in that P12 champ game, that’s how high I am on them. 9 or 10 playable guys there.

4 deep at LB…Barton should have a breakout year at Stud, Hall at Rover and Damuni at Mac…Reynolds is 4th and young behind them so a concern there if we lose more than 1 in the first third of the season.

I think Kash Dillon gets on the field early but lots of playable guys at DE. A little lighter and faster there now. Fano is the lead guy with JHD/Fitzgerald/Holtzclaw giving you at least 5 there.

Dallas, Aliki and Jonah are your first 3 at DT. Sione, Karson and Dilan are 3 really good freshman who should get at least some time but the future is bright (minus the portal stuff).

Very high on the back half. Snowden, Davis, Cotton, Evans, Johnson, Ritchie, Beenee, Saunders gives you plenty of guys…even Moson or Caldwell can play. DB’s/OL are the deepest groups on the team. No Micah necessary this year!

I like Parker a lot, Roger’s is an experienced guy who will help us to. Need to stay healthy there but the O-line could make anyone look decent.

Curtis can hit from 65-70 so yes touchbacks will be aplenty. No idea how he handles the pressure yet but he bangs balls. I think our ST group is quite a bit better on paper this year.

Hunter Andrews, Whittemore, Davis, Zipperer and Bentley will all have their moments this season too.

Faster pace, QB that is gonna be tough to get to and contain, 5 returning O-lineman with 2 first rounders and a typical stingy defense.

Had we been better the past two years this is again a preseason top 15 team but they have to earn that trust back and prove themselves. Plenty of talent and opportunity to do that.

Schedule also sets up really well with TT, KST and ASU here.

This is a good team…could be a really, really good team and break that unmentioned threshold if they stay healthy.

[ProudUte]

Thanks, OnlyU. I really appreciate your detailed response. It helps me get a feel for what this team can do. I hope they live up to the potential.

Go Utes!!!

[triage24]

I know we haven’t seen much of him with Utah, but from today’s vantage point, do we see Parker as: elite — great — good — or solid?

That answer could be the difference between 8 wins and 10 wins. A great RB takes pressure off Dampier and keeps defenses honest in the RPO.

I’d put Rogers as good, especially with blocking and offense familiarity. You don’t average 5 a carry and just be a solid. Even if Parker is just…good, having good backs is a 9 win season for me.

LBs and secondary seem fantastic. Do they bring up an inexperienced DL or does the DL bring everyone else down? I would’ve said the jury is out except our DEs are going to bring pressure. Love the depth there. Fano is special, IMO.

[Great1Ute]

Sly Sylvester, Deshawn Richard, Jaylon Jonson, Julian Blackmon, Tevin Carter, Dominique Hatfield, Chase Hansen, and Landon Barton all had 2.

Clark Phillips, Devin Lloyd and of course, the Goat Weddle had 3.

[2008 National Champ]

Phillps had 4

[BeachUte]

The vibe is only asWell for as long as it lasts. Then what?

Utah has had plenty of seasons where the preseason vibe shattered pretty early.

2022 with the loss to Florida at the start of the season – then UCLA few weeks later.

2021 with the loss to BYU and then SDSU.

2019 with the loss to USC.

In those seasons, Utah largely pushed back and recaptured the good vibes that followed the preseason expectations. Even if 2019 ended poorly, they still didn’t let the USC loss define them. Nor did they let the BYU and SDSU losses in 2021 and the Florida and UCLA losses in 2022 define them.

But last year, we saw the vibe completely collapse after the Arizona game and Utah couldn’t turn it around for a bevy of reasons.

Utah is going to have a bad loss. It’s pretty much a given under Whitt (outside one season) . What happens after that loss will define the season and really, maybe his legacy. If Utah comes out and 2019-2022’s it, we’re great. If the wheels come off like last year, especially if that tough loss comes at the start of the season? Welp.

[BeachUte]

I’m solely going off what the vibe was prior to the season. It was not bad either year. In fact, last year’s vibe was pretty positive as Utah looked geared up for a potential playoff run. Even 2023 was still pretty high because most everyone was being misled by Cam’s injury and everyone thought he’d be out for only a handful of games… and likely back for Pac-12 play.

The point is, I can’t recall a recent season where Utah entered with bad vibes and a resignation from the fans that the season would likely be extremely difficult.

The vibes are always good. It’s why I don’t trust them.

[Author]

Posts