Watching the game last night, and reflecting on how we competed with UW this year (particularly in the first half), it made me think about hypotheticals.
I think our talent level, at least in the last 10 years, was highest in 2021. We had Cam, a healthy Kuithe, Covey, Kincaid, Tavion before his demons got to him, Bernard, Devin Lloyd, Tafua, a healthy Broughton, CPIII, Bishop, etc. If Ty Jordan doesn’t tragically die, does all that talent plus him have Utah win a national championship?
I’m not sure that we beat Georgia in either 2021 or 2022, but I think we do make the playoff in both of those years (if everyone hypothetically stays in 2022). In 2021, with Jordan returning, no way we lose to TDS or SDSU. We probably don’t lose to Oregon St either, which means we either go 12-0 or 11-1.
In 2022, with Jordan, we likely don’t lose to UF or at Oregon, 50-50 on the loss at UCLA, so probably 11-1, but maybe 12-0 too.
I think either the 2021 or 2022 team + Ty Jordan beats this year’s Michigan team, and maybe the 2021 team as it was constructed. For 2023, you could play the hypothetical of Cam and Kuithe being healthy, Ty deciding to come back for a 4th season, but then I feel like I’m really reaching.
Also, we probably don’t pick up Tavion if Ty doesn’t pass away, but then maybe JJ transitions to RB sooner (or maybe transfers sooner). Also, maybe the Charlie Brewer experiment lasts longer if Ty carries us through wins at TDS and at SDSU instead of losses, but I’ve got to think Cam wins out eventually.
As it is, 2021 was both tragic and magical, and 2022 was an amazing roller coaster ride, but it is also encouraging that our program was on the brink of the apex of cfb. Injuries largely derailed our 2023 hopes. The uncertainty of the transfer/NIL wild west gives me a bit of anxiety of if Utah can sustain or improve upon where we’ve been the last 3-5 years, but I still maintain that NIL is a huge opportunity for Utah if the fan base buys into it rather than handwringing and getting seduced with nostalgia.

2024 Concept Helmets

Big game against the Bruins on Thursday.

After laying an egg on the Arizona road trip, hoping we bounce back.

Things I'd llike to see:
1. Offense running through BC
2. Lovering and Keita staying out of foul trouble.
3. Some interior defense after getting pushed around by Arizona.
4. Shooting of 45/35/75.

Utah does play them this year, in SLC. We don't know the date yet.

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Spoiler alert: They have us at #6. Looks like we're getting respect...

The secondary gets some help:

What a well-deserved honor for one of the greatest Utes of all-time:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/alex-smith-named-to-college-football-hall-of-fame-2024-class

Here’s Matt’s takeaways after Utah’s second half struggles against Arizona:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/takeaways-runnin-utes-fall-to-no-10-arizona-after-second-half-collapse

Let's see if the Utes can pull off a stunner tonight!

The defense gets a transfer to help reload on the defensive front:

Vaughn is an intriguing under-the-radar prospect.

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This is so weird to see. Good luck to him!
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Expected, but crushing. We’ll see where he goes, but as of Thursday multiple people felt as though the Utes had convinced him to stay. Plenty of people will complain about his injuries this year, but he gutted through them and he was absolutely Utah’s offensive MVP. It’s unfortunate that the last run he had at Utah gave him the concussion knocking him out of the bowl game.

The two most likely destinations right now are TCU and SMU, if SMU is a surprise, it shouldn’t be. They’re loaded with oil money.

The Utes drop the first of the Arizona road trip:

@Alex Markham Alex, what are you hearing regarding Faletau? Is he really a lock for BYU? That’s one of the few recruits that I actually think would sting if he chose BYU.

Here’s tonight’s starting five:

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Before his injury, Elliss was set to declare for the draft. After his injury there was some thought he might return, but with him declaring for the draft this should mean he is likely to participate in Utah's Pro
Day. If he wasn't going to be healthy enough to workout, he might've been inclined to return for one more season.

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There are reports out there that Broughton took his name out of the portal to return to Utah. Those are false. There was a technicality with everything because of his name change when he was JaTravis McCloud, and now Broughton.

This is unique. Good luck to Malaska

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Nm

There was a possibility he might come back, but it Elliss officially declared for the NFL Draft earlier today:

Strong start to conf play. BC was a beast! Madsen played exceptional as well Daivon Smith adds a needed element to the guard line.

Team is still improving as roles get more definition. Lovering and Bajema can up their production and the team can be more consistent. But, overall, a great start.

Big road test at the Arizona schools this week. Hopefully we bring our A game to ASU on Thursday.