Congrats to him! This took until after the Florida game. It’s well deserved, but it’s also not a surprise that it hadn’t been done yet because spring ball made it seem like he’d potentially fall to QB4. Injuries create opportunities and he took advantage of not jut the recent Brandon Rose injury, but also the injury Nate Johnson had in spring ball.

What do Joe’s numbers say for this week? Give it a read:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/statistically-speaking-utah-vs-baylor

1. Cam Rising - I doubt we see him this week.
2. Brant Kuithe - Same, even though he's from Texas and this is a homecoming of sorts.
3. Junior Tafuna - No idea what his situation is.
4. Simote Pepa - same
5. Johnny Maea - same
6. Connor O'Toole - same

Not a starter but didn't play

7. Chris Curry - Don't know what his health situation is.
8. Chase Kennedy - same
9. Landen King - I assume he was hurt since we're already one man down at TE with Kuithe out.
10 Justin Medlock - if healthy, we would have seen him some after Karene Reid went out.

Guys who played a bit even though banged up
8. Van Filinger
9. JaQuinden Jackson
10 Karene Reid - Almost certainly was in concussion protocol withing the first two minutes of the game. Not sure what his status is for this week.

The guys discuss Baylor, with Joe looking at his number metrics and Matt bringing the human angle along with interesting trends he’s seen:

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That was an awesome performance against the Gators.

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Halie answers last week’s questions and looks ahead to the Baylor matchup:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/burning-questions-utes-head-into-week-2-1

Here’s how the guys graded out with PFF for Week 1:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/inside-the-numbers-utah-week-1-pff-grades

Women’s BB added Jeff Judkins as Assist for player development & community relations.

Great move.

6 USC (Stayed same)
8 Washington (Moved up 3)
12 Utah (Moved up 2)
13 Oregon (Moved up 2)
18 Oregon (Same. Baffling)
25 Colorado

I’ll post the whole thing when I come across it.

Nate Johnson- if his arm ever catches up to his legs he will be a rich man.
Spencer Fano- had some rough patches as you would expect. But starting game one at LT as a true freshman is very encouraging as to what his future looks like.
Mikey Mathews - caught everything thrown his way. Looked good with the ball in his hands.
Mycah Pittman- bit of a rough night. But only one game.
Suguturaga - productive night at his new home at TE.
Cole Baxter - significant upgrade at K.
Logan Fano - held his own as a freshman.
Keanu Tanuvasa- he’s going to be a problem for our opponents.
Levani Damuni- thanks Stanford. HS a nose for the ball.
Tao Johnson- excellent speed, reliable tackler, impressed with his fearlessness in defending the run.
Sione Vaki- not a newcomer but he is a big time baller.

Here’s how the 2024 Utah commits did over the weekend:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/tracking-utah-2024-commit-games-andrews-dominates

It should have been fixed years ago and it often times gets worse. Why does this keep happening? It's inexcusable and embarrassing.

Just provide enough mics and match the volume of the media just enough to hear the questions and peak Coach Whittingham's voice just above that.

It would be more enjoyable to listen to the post game and press conferences without all of the vast faint levels and inconsistencies from within the entire media questions process. It's not just the media and then Kyle on the podium. Before coach gets there, the players have uneven mic levels all across the podium.

Also, the content being put out on the University of Utah Athletics site is miniscule. There isn't near enough content in comparison to other legitimate programs.

More than anything, first the football post game audio and press conferences need to provide us decent audio. Who will fix this? Judas Priest!

Any report on how Brooks Bahr’s on campus visit went and where we stand with him?

Anyone else going to be in Waco for the game? I've never been and am wondering about parking and whatnot. Hoping to see a few familiar faces!

Here's the link. Comments are a gold mine:

They just lost to Texas State (Sun Belt) 42-31...

Can’t stand Deion Sanders and his schtick.

With Cole and Halie in the booth, I’m in the stands with bad reception, so I’ll keep it short and sweet and chime in more soon.

That first offensive play set the tone. What a call and great execution. The defense which wasn’t at full strength at all, was phenomenal.

JJ was slowed an injury he got in camp. It’s nothing to stress over and Bernard stepped up big in his place

5 sack and 7 TFL for the D, clutch time and time again.

Also, the kicking and punting are in good hands. The missed 55 yarder was unfortunate, but everyone will breathe easier with Becker back there. The punts from Bouwmeester, WOW, he was crucial.

I’ll write more soon, but let’s hear from everyone.

Offensive game ball was an easy decision. Defense was tough because of so many great performances…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/game-balls-utah-vs-florida

That's gonna be a tough one! Let's Go!

Surprised by the d line. Basically played the second team. Fano seemed to MIA late in the game too on the oline.

Game Day!

Here’s Cole’s takeaways from the impressive opener tonight:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/takeaways-no-14-utah-s-depth-topples-florida