[Rick]

Utah1,
You’ve got to give the BYU rhetoric a rest. I don’t love that they have embraced NIL like they have but I don’t see anything evil about it. There are existential reasons why perpetuating this wild, wild West system is a bad thing. At least I feel that way. But any program and donors choosing to play -even at lower levels, is part of that perpetuation. I hope some reasonable guard rails are established soon.

Anyway, I say let the Y do what they do. We’ll continue to settle it on the field. I think good things are to come for both football programs this year – especially our Utes. And I love that Alex Jensen is building a program that’s going to be built on tough, physical defense. That’s something I can cheer for even when I don’t see players who are committed to my university. Damn NIL.

[Rick]

Dallin Bentley is the starter. Landon King and Hunter Andrews will play alot. Landon will be all right. He’s working hard.

[Rick]

That’s the big one Larry – 1:1. How does he progress reading defenses and what does a high level offensive line do for him? He’ll also need to cut down on errant throws. In the scrimmage I watched he had two errant throws out of maybe 20. He also threw a possible pick at the goal line but he threw it so hard it nearly put a whole in Elijah Davis’ hands. I saw a lot of terrific reads that day and accurate passes against a strong defense.

That’s the one thing he’s commented on to insiders – the difficulty of going against the Utah defense. He loves it and, according to Coach Scalley, is getting better and better. Scalley loves and hates going against him for the same reasons. He is simply a playmaker and so often when the defense is good, Dampier still beats them; but Scalley loves the opportunity to go against a duel threat since there are a handful of them in the Big 12.

[Rick]

That is a crazy number if accurate. Good for Wahlin. He would be a terrific part of Alex’s team with his defensive skill and willingness to work which is showing up with improved play. He is becoming a good shooter. I hope he’ll continue to improve at Clemson because I know he would have here.

[Rick]

22,
I can’t wait until you have to shut up about Beck using his tight ends.

[Rick]

Interesting perspective Caleb. I think you fit into “we suck no matter what category” with that response.

Having watched the team a little in spring and spoken with a few insiders, I think the floor is 7-5 and the ceiling is 10-2. Utah is capable of defeating everyone on our schedule and losing to five or six of them, but only if injuries become a significant factor again. As much as I’d like to say that won’t happen again, we said after the 2023 season and then 2024 happened.

The parts are in place to sit back and enjoy this season. The offense is going to be interesting to watch and over-analyze as we tend to do. I don’t get Proud’s angst about the defense. I see talent everywhere – every position group and good depth. I do think the defensive line has something to prove this season, including depth at defensive end; but I sure like the guys lining up as starters right now.

Proud asks about playmakers. How many do you need? I think Fano, Barton, Damuni, Hall, Johnson and Davis will all be playmakers – perhaps even in that order. I think there are three or four more we could list and a few more who will emerge. By the way, I shouldn’t omit the defensive tackles but if they do their job, Barton, Damuni and Hall will make a lot of plays. I have all kinds of optimism for the defense.

On offense, if your best playmaker is the quarterback, you’re in pretty good shape. We saw that when Rising was healthy. Of course, he had terrific tight end play both of those years and a good to great running game. I see parallels to that this season – best playmaker at quarterback, a tight end room that looks good coming out of spring and a remade running back room that looks good. It will be great if Parker meets expectations. All of these position groups depend upon an offensive line that features a first-round tackle and a future high-level draft tackle at each end.

I don’t think we’ll win every game but we’ll win a lot.

[Rick]

Utah Man,
I don’t have great info for you other than coaches being impressed with Williams, Caldarella, Whittemore, Tia and Glover throughout spring. Of those, Williams has separated himself; but I don’t know the pecking order. I’ll see what I can find out. I would think Zipperer and Washington will get in the mix. I’d hate to see Zipperer transfer. He has talent – decent size and good speed.

[Rick]

While I agree we need more shooting, Elijah’s a shooter. Watch his highlights. I realize they are highlights but watch his mechanics – footwork and release. He’s very skilled as a shooter.

[Rick]

Brendan Zurbrugg is competing in spring as well. I think I got the name right. He’s the Oklahoma transfer who will be a freshman.

[Rick]

Proceeds from the game go to the 22 Forever Scholarship fund. That’s may be a big reason why we are still holding the game.

No starters will play – two reasons – no need for silly injuries and no need for poachers to see what we have. This will be a nice opportunity to see the two, threes and fours.

Should be fun.

[Author]

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