What is your assessment of how Utah's offense might change depending on who is the starting quarterback? And is there any indication which quarterback may start?
Troy Williams is a proven winner (9-4, as a starter), but make no mistake, losing Tyler Huntley is a huge blow. In order for Williams to be successful, he needs to be supported by a strong rushing attack, but Huntley is also Utah’s leading rusher.
How new Offensive Coordinator Troy Taylor handles a switch—with time to prepare—is anyone’s guess. That being said, one thing is certain, Williams will stay in the pocket more often than not, regardless of the game plan. Huntley on the other hand, keeps plays alive by rolling out and keeping his eyes down field. That’s the biggest difference.
Unless Huntley makes an unreal recovery, Williams will be the guy in charge.
It seems Darren Carrington's transfer to Utah really gave the passing game a boost. He appears to be the clear No. 1 receiver, but who else is someone to watch in the passing game?
Siaosi Wilson was beginning to emerge as Huntley’s clear no. 2 target, but now that’s anyone’s guess. With Williams behind center, guys that he’s had more of a comfort level with—like Raelon Singleton and Demari Simpkins—could emerge as the next threat.
Regardless, Wilson is the most dangerous receiver, after Carrington.
How dependent is Utah's run game on Huntley and how would you evaluate the offensive line's strengths and weaknesses to this point?
So far, the Utes have been heavily dependent on Huntley in the run game. Now that it’s in all likelihood, Williams under center, it’s time for running backs Zack Moss and Devonta’e Henry-Cole to step up because Williams runs as a last resort. Moss is a more than capable back, while Henry-Cole has had glimpses of dazzling potential, but due to Huntley’s effectiveness, neither has been able to get into a rhythm.
As for the offensive line, only one starter from 2016 returned, while all the others were drafted. Therefore, the line is still gelling and getting on the same page. Early on, they provided Huntley with solid pass protection—he was hurt rolling out of the pocket. It’s the run blocking that’s still in question. Also, there have been times where the center, Lo Falemaka, has struggled snapping in the shotgun formation.
Statistically Utah's run defense has been fantastic. What has been the cause of their success and how do you think they match up against Stanford's run game?
Truthfully, that’s just typical of a Whittingham defense. Last season, there was one weakness to exploit, on the edges. This year, Lowell Lotulelei and Filipo Mokofisi do the dirty work, freeing up the defensive ends and linebackers.
Overall, Defensive Coordinator Morgan Scalley does a fantastic job disguising the defensive packages. Now, Saturday could be a challenge, based on the fact that the defensive end position is hobbled, but the line is so deep, that every second-stringer in the trenches, could push for a starting job, elsewhere in the Pac-12.
Bryce Love might get his yards, but he’s going to have to earn every inch of it.
Who are the top playmakers on defense?
Even after losing four guys in the secondary to the NFL, the Utah secondary has gotten even better. Utah leads the Pac-12 and is second in the nation with nine interceptions. The group is headlined by junior safety, Chase Hansen, but corners Julian Blackmon and Jaylon Johnson have begun to prove themselves as shutdown corners. As good as last year’s unit was, that was the one attribute they lacked.
At linebacker, Kavika Luafatasaga is a name that Stanford fans should hear most frequently, during the game. He has NFL talent written all over him and should push for a spot on the All Pac-12 1st Team, when all is said and done. Expect him to spy Love all game, along with Hansen.
What is your game prediction?
I see the Utes limiting Love just enough and winning a slow, physical, and grinding game. The Utes just have too much talent and depth on a defense which traditional does well against Stanford’s type of offense—Love or not. It won’t necessarily be pretty, but I see the Utes winning a low scoring game that will be decided in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
Utah 20 Stanford 16
Troy Williams is a proven winner (9-4, as a starter), but make no mistake, losing Tyler Huntley is a huge blow. In order for Williams to be successful, he needs to be supported by a strong rushing attack, but Huntley is also Utah’s leading rusher.
How new Offensive Coordinator Troy Taylor handles a switch—with time to prepare—is anyone’s guess. That being said, one thing is certain, Williams will stay in the pocket more often than not, regardless of the game plan. Huntley on the other hand, keeps plays alive by rolling out and keeping his eyes down field. That’s the biggest difference.
Unless Huntley makes an unreal recovery, Williams will be the guy in charge.
It seems Darren Carrington's transfer to Utah really gave the passing game a boost. He appears to be the clear No. 1 receiver, but who else is someone to watch in the passing game?
Siaosi Wilson was beginning to emerge as Huntley’s clear no. 2 target, but now that’s anyone’s guess. With Williams behind center, guys that he’s had more of a comfort level with—like Raelon Singleton and Demari Simpkins—could emerge as the next threat.
Regardless, Wilson is the most dangerous receiver, after Carrington.
How dependent is Utah's run game on Huntley and how would you evaluate the offensive line's strengths and weaknesses to this point?
So far, the Utes have been heavily dependent on Huntley in the run game. Now that it’s in all likelihood, Williams under center, it’s time for running backs Zack Moss and Devonta’e Henry-Cole to step up because Williams runs as a last resort. Moss is a more than capable back, while Henry-Cole has had glimpses of dazzling potential, but due to Huntley’s effectiveness, neither has been able to get into a rhythm.
As for the offensive line, only one starter from 2016 returned, while all the others were drafted. Therefore, the line is still gelling and getting on the same page. Early on, they provided Huntley with solid pass protection—he was hurt rolling out of the pocket. It’s the run blocking that’s still in question. Also, there have been times where the center, Lo Falemaka, has struggled snapping in the shotgun formation.
Statistically Utah's run defense has been fantastic. What has been the cause of their success and how do you think they match up against Stanford's run game?
Truthfully, that’s just typical of a Whittingham defense. Last season, there was one weakness to exploit, on the edges. This year, Lowell Lotulelei and Filipo Mokofisi do the dirty work, freeing up the defensive ends and linebackers.
Overall, Defensive Coordinator Morgan Scalley does a fantastic job disguising the defensive packages. Now, Saturday could be a challenge, based on the fact that the defensive end position is hobbled, but the line is so deep, that every second-stringer in the trenches, could push for a starting job, elsewhere in the Pac-12.
Bryce Love might get his yards, but he’s going to have to earn every inch of it.
Who are the top playmakers on defense?
Even after losing four guys in the secondary to the NFL, the Utah secondary has gotten even better. Utah leads the Pac-12 and is second in the nation with nine interceptions. The group is headlined by junior safety, Chase Hansen, but corners Julian Blackmon and Jaylon Johnson have begun to prove themselves as shutdown corners. As good as last year’s unit was, that was the one attribute they lacked.
At linebacker, Kavika Luafatasaga is a name that Stanford fans should hear most frequently, during the game. He has NFL talent written all over him and should push for a spot on the All Pac-12 1st Team, when all is said and done. Expect him to spy Love all game, along with Hansen.
What is your game prediction?
I see the Utes limiting Love just enough and winning a slow, physical, and grinding game. The Utes just have too much talent and depth on a defense which traditional does well against Stanford’s type of offense—Love or not. It won’t necessarily be pretty, but I see the Utes winning a low scoring game that will be decided in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
Utah 20 Stanford 16
