Jackson was this season's Ty Jordan Aaron Lowe Memorial scholarship recipient and one of the most improved players from the spring: https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-3-ja-quinden-jackson

The Florida transfer is about to see his old team really soon ...

Hope to see a lot of red at the swamp! Go Utes

Step one on getting a handle on transfer portal free agency.

There have been a couple of good comments in the Chandler thread about the upcoming BYU game on Nov. 27 — but I thought I would break it out into its own thread.

I know it has only been one game in the Craig Smith era (two if you count Westminster), but I like what I see so far from the team. There are a lot of new faces, but still plenty of experience. Jenkins, Anthony and Battin are all in their fourth years of college basketball — and so is Both Gach (if he is allowed to play). Carlson is older as a returned missionary and in his third year of college basketball. Worster has a full year of college experience at the Mountain West level. The guys defend and rebound and certainly won't back down from the Cougars.

Plus the game is at the Huntsman Center. While our home fan base hasn't been great, I hope it's good for this game and the curtains are removed. We won't have a football excuse — because our game against Colorado is the day before on Friday afternoon. By contrast, the Cougar football team may be going head-to-head against the basketball game. The Zoobs play USC at the Coliseum that day and the Pac-12 hasn't announced the time yet. Here's hoping it's a night game — so Zoob fans will have the Sophie's Choice of whether to watch football or infiltrate the Huntsman Center.

KenPom has us ranked 89th and BYU at 39th right now — but, after homecourt advantage is figured in, the Cougs are only a 1-point favorite on that site and it gives the Utes a 44% chance of winning. I'll take those odds.

Wouldn't it be great to beat Pope and the Cougars on the court with Chandler in the audience wondering if he made the right choice?

In list form:

1. It's absurd to start questioning Whitt and his desire to coach. He is a top 25 coach in the country. He has his stamps all over the program. Just stop - it is silly to even question him. I get the angst over a loss to TDS but even if Whitt goes 6-6 this year IT IS NOT time to even think about putting a warmer on his seat.
2. Utah lost Saturday and, without discrediting TDS on their win, I have seen this movie play out over and over again. Utah had the BCS Graveyard. It was a battle cry. It showed that the David could slay the Goliath. I watch Utah dismantle team after team because Utah had the desire and emotional edge to beat those schools. Maybe Alabama didn't really WANT to be their after all and Utah capitalized. BYU had the emotional edge Saturday - not true, they didn't have an emotional edge, they had an emotional gulf over Utah. Simply put - BYU was more prepared, hungry, disciplined and emotionally superior team in every aspect. Utah lost because Utah did not take that game seriously enough and it showed. You could feel it from the kick off. I knew at the end of the FIRST QUARTER Utah was going to lose. Football is an emotional game and when you cannot muster it, or match the intensity of the other side, it is near impossible to win. That is on the players.
3. Utah has a defensive line problem. The line is without star power. I think these guys are solid but there is no Leki Fotu, no Star Lotuleilei, etc. I don't think Utah has the horses this year on the d-line. It could be a long season as a result. That is OK - sometimes that flame can't always burn with the same intensity but it is what it is this year. I hope I am wrong but I am afraid not.
4. Utah has an Offensive Line problem. Specifically, Utah has a Jim Harding problem IMO. How many times has Utah walked away empty handed on 4th and short from the opposing team's goal line? Weber and BYU THIS year. I recall Cal, USC, etc., etc. etc. in years past. How many times did Utah come up with 4th and short in 2019? A LOT. How many times did the SAME BLITZ package Weber State employed crush the Utah offense last week? BYU SAID they simply ran the same scheme Weber did and Utah couldn't stop it (I'll see where I can find that quote). Over and over again Utah's O line starts slow only to find it's rhythm late in the year. I don't understand it, I can't understand it. Supposedly Utah's O-line goes up against the best defensive line in the country EVERY DAY IN PRACTICE and yet they seem shell shocked early EVERY YEAR. Utah needs fresh blood there and I hope it happens soon because it is Utah's Achilles heel.

A tip of the hat to TDS and on to SDSU. Right now - even money in my opinion on this game. SDSU wants this one. Does Utah????????

I’m not at liberty to say who and the situation is still fluid, but there could be an unwanted transfer coming that could irritate everyone. It’s fluid.

I’m not trying to leave everyone hanging, but they’re in “save-mode” on a starter, right now. I don’t want to say who and complicate the situation...

Hello friends! It's been about 8 and a half months since our last game thread of any kind, and the third time is the charm for Utah football this fall! Tonight officially begins a new era for Utah football, and Cam Rising is expected to be the starter tonight. If you've paid attention to Alex's posts here and read a little between the lines, this should be no surprise. All the QBs have performed well through camp, but Rising brings a skillset that the coaching staff is excited to unleash. What are your thoughts on the Bentley v. Rising v. Lisk battle? Kyle Whittingham is 11-0 in home openers; will that hold tonight?

I think we will enter summer and the Covid thing will die off. However, I suspect it will raise it's ugly head again this fall. It is spreading in the regions below the equator who are entering their fall / winter now. I suspect this who social distancing thing will be with us awhile.

Lord I hope not.....

So I'm trying to convince my wife to go to the game on Saturday night (in the cold) if I can get decent tickets that don't break the bank. I might be fighting a losing battle because she's not a fan of the cold or the fact that it's a late night game. Her preference is to watch it on our 75" screen tv in the warmth and comfort of our home. That said, I'm still going to see what's available - I'd probably settle for buying one ticket and going myself.

With that - are any of the out-of-town season ticket holders on this site not planning on coming to the game and selling their tickets to a fellow Ute?

s reaming rumors a certain RB has broken his hand. Why is he in full contact drills? I understand he need to practice but I don’t understand why he’s in full contact drills if this if true. This season is already off to a banging start with Bowen and Moss

ESPN reporting that Georgia DC Mel Tucker is getting the CU job. Tucker has no ties out West as far as I can tell.

Frankly, I think CU screwed up firing MacIntyre. I’m really not too worried about CU hiring a defensive guy. And as for the former Bama/SEC thing, the Jim McElwain experiment didn’t go so great at CSU...or Florida. It’s a little tougher looking brilliant when you can’t recruit like Bama or Georgia.

yahoo sports saying #hegone

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This looks promising.

https://pac-12.com/article/2018/11/20/pac-12-conference-goes-all-amazon-web-services

I'll load Liz Abel's press release soon, but both Roderick and Erickson are leaving the program.

Hey guys, I just spoke with Matthew Tago. He visited Oregon State last weekend and said he liked seeing Corvallis for the first time and checking out the campus. Although he said he enjoyed the visit, he didn't sound too high on the Beavs. Tago will be visiting Nebraska this weekend as well, which will be his final official visit. He said he's looking forward to seeing Lincoln and also mentioned that Nebraska is the only school recruiting him as a QB.

Matthew said the schools he's been in contact with the most are Utah, Washington State, and Boise State. He said once his visit at Nebraska is done, he'll talk things over with his family and think on his decision before committing. He said his commitment won't necessarily come on signing day and may come before.

Tago said his relationship with Coach Ena is really good and that Ena is always the first one to come out and visit him. He says that Ena stays in contact with him but doesn't suffocate him, which he appreciates.

I'll have more on him soon in an article...
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I'll start us off:

5. BYU stole the Aggies colors and now the Aggies are going to seal them back.

4. The Aggies are more righteous than the the Zoobies.

3. Aggie dominance is the natural order.

2. Riley Nelson's hair.

1. Squirm Zoobies squirm!

Should we expect a decision soon? Any idea where we stand after the SDSU visit?

Pretty interesting read from one perspective on who should be invited. I don't disagree but would find it interesting if Colorado and Missouri could be courted. Meltdown at TDS would be epic................

http://collegefootballnews.com/2016/big-12-expansion-schools

We caught up with in-state (he played for Mountain Crest last year but will play for Ridgeline - a new high school in Logan - this fall) linebacker Levani Damuni. It's still early for Damuni, but despite the fact that he has family ties at both USU and BYU, Utah is his clear leader. He wants to play in a P5 conference, and he really likes the coaching staff.

Damuni was 1st team all state as a junior, and is arguably the best LB in the state of Utah this fall. A full article is coming, but here is his film to hold you over: Login to view embedded media

Like we do every year, we broke down 10 prospects with early offers to pay attention to for the class of 2017. This list of course doesn't include Ty Jones, who is already committed to the Utes or any of the in-state kids committed to other programs (like Langi Tuifua). Check out the list here: https://utah.n.rivals.com/news/10-to-watch-for-2017

AD Pat Haden has met with the team and Clay Helton is the interim coach.

Per Twiiter

Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) tweeted at 3:10pm - 11 Oct 15:

I'm told players just met w/Pat Haden and Clay Helton is interim coach as Haden has asked Sarkisian to take a temp. leave of absence #USC ( Login to view embedded media )

Michelle broke down the top performances at the Ute Shoot on Saturday. Check out the article here: https://utah.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1772886