When it first came up, any discussion of us joining the Big 12 seemed like it would be awful for us. After some time and introspection, I would see pros and cons to the move. After all, we moved to the Big 12 for the same reason the Mormon pioneers left Nauvoo. They left voluntarily because they had to. Lastly, I have moved to the embrace phase. If college football is all about winning and getting to the playoffs, then we could not have made a better decision than going to the Big-12. I am not expecting us to dominate the conference, but we will contend for a championship, and a CFP berth, every year. I think that we will get a place in the CFP much more quickly than either Washington or Oregon. When we can win the conference, we can get a first-round bye which immediately puts us in the top 8 schools in the country.

From a recruiting standpoint, we can continue to improve but, we are already the first or second best at recruiting in the Big-12. If we were in the Big-10, we would immediately be behind OSU, Michigan, Penn State, USC, and Oregon. If we continued to improve, we would be in the next tier with Washington, Wisconsin, UCLA, and Michigan State.

While the cache of being in the Big-10 would be great, it does not match the cache of making the CFP on multiple occasions.

Here’s Matt’s recap from Whittingham’s interview today:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utes-fall-camp-recap-8-15

Why an OCD Clean Freak Might Just Fumble at American Football​

16 days until kickoff, so how fitting is it to talk about Bryson Barnes on a day he was mentioned a bunch by Whittingham.

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-16-bryson-barnes-1

Here’s Cole’s article on 2023 breakout candidate, Sione Vaki… a big season could be in store for him:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utah-s-vaki-ready-to-build-off-of-2022

Any updates on how that went today?

Does Vele take the next step for the receivers group?

Utah is becoming a serious player for a very interesting prospect:

https://n.rivals.com/news/recruitin...eason-is-right-around-the-corner?guccounter=1

Some really interesting and positive news I’m hearing from camp… Even with how deep the offensive line is, the staff has been blown away by Fano. You could see him as the starting left tackle to open the season.

USC checks in at #6, Washington at #10, Utah at #14, Oregon at #15, Oregon State at #18,

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I fully expect it to be Utah, just as I’ve had it Futurecasted for months:

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Here’s a link to his IG where he’ll do an IG Live:

https://instagram.com/kashdillon32?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

At the risk of opening a can of worms, I thought it might be sadly appropriate to visit the conditions and actions (or lack of) by PAC-12 leadership that led to the complete collapse of the PAC-12. Then, play out our last season in the once storied conference and waive goodbye. The above article by John Wilner is a good reference point. There are several others it the same issue of the Hot Line as the article linked above. Note: you will probably run into a pay wall on this article, but it should show up on KSL this week.

Smith played for Mississippi State in 20–21 season. He played for Georgia Tech the next two seasons. His waiver request asked that he not sit out and be allowed to play for Utah, his third college program this year. The Jackson case says Smith will have to sit this year,

Fast Forward to Florida State and DL Darrell Jackson. He played at Maryland in 2021. Miami- Florida in 2022. He petition to play for FSU this year and he was denied.

With proof that the NCAA is cracking down on multiple school changes, the evidence suggests that Smith will not get that waiver for the Utes this year. Leaving them depleted at the PG spot.

A unique way to showcase your college football team pride​

Gorney caught up with Dillon before his announcement:

https://n.rivals.com/news/utah-first-to-offer-lands-commitment-from-de-kash-dillon

Utah lands the Corner Canyon Trio… Here’s Matt’s article on what the commitment means:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/what-it-means-utah-lands-local-de-dillon

Lotta talk about Barnes being off limits during scrimmage and that he is a clear number two AND that terrifies people. Friendly reminder that Barnes never prepared for a game in which he played. He was thrown into duty last minute in each appearance. You don't really know what you have in him until he has had a full preparation period.

I also don't read much into the Rose and Johnson were live when Barnes wasn't. Again, you know what you have in Barnes so why risk injury? You DO NOT know what you have in the other two so you need to give them the full effect to see who they are... They ABSOLUTELY should have been live.

I think it is all a moot point anyway because I think Rising starts game one. Why? Why not? Utah should adopt the CFP or bust mentality. Being a 3 time P12 Champ in their last year would be great but been there done that. The next step is a go at the CFP. You need a Baylor and Florida win to do that. A conference game loss with those wins keeps you right in the hunt.

All in or in the way.

With 20 days left until kickoff, it’s time to talk about a guy who the sky is the limit for… Lander Barton:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-20-lander-barton-1

Interesting read on possible Big 12 divisions:

ttps://www.si.com/college/westvirginia/big-12/what-the-big-12-could-look-like-with-two-divisions

Option 1

EAST

Central Florida, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, West Virginia.

WEST

Arizona, Baylor, Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah

Options 2:

NORTH

BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Utah, West Virginia

SOUTH

Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Central Florida, Houston, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech

Kickoff is getting sooooo close. It’s time to talk about No. 21, Karene Reid…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-21-karene-reid-1

Here’s Cole’s article combining the last two days of quotes from some of the available players:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utes-fall-camp-recap-the-players-8-8-8-9

Offense
QB - Cam, Rose
RB - JQJ, Bernard
LT - Falcon K., Fano
LG - Bills, Lomu
C - Kump, Maea
RG - Mokofisi
RT - Laumea, Williams
TE - Yasmin, Suguturaga (I'm assuming Kuithe isn't ready to go)
WR1 - Parks, Simmons
WR2 - Pittman, Matthews
WR3 - Vele, McClain

Defense
DT - Pepa, Fotu
Tafuna, Vimahi
DE - Ellis, O'Toole
Fillinger, Kennedy
LB - Reid, Furey
Barton, Calvert
Damuni, Medlock
CB - Broughton, Vaughn
Battle, Tao J.
Safety - Vaki, Hall
Bishop, Ritchie

Not many holes in that line-up. Let's go!

Curry could be a secret weapon for Ganther's group this fall: