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Halftime yesterday, Coach Whit faced a crossroads. He could stick with the status quo and in all likelihood win. Down 7 at halftime at home against Wyoming is not too scary a scenario for this Ute team. The safe thing to do would have been to maintain the status quo. In all likelihood Cain would have led them back from behind as did Wynn. He'd done it before agaisnt greater odds. Actually, replacing Cain with an untested true freshman probably reduced the odds of a Ute comback. (I've been reading for a year on these boards that starting a true freshman qb is like giving up, calling it a rebuilding year; how much more true is this addage when you're down 7 at the half with a no. 16 ranking and undefeated conference record and 7-1 start on the line?)
So why did he do it? Why did Whit roll the dice and replace Cain--fresh off a dramatic overtime win against that perpetual thorn in the side Air Force--with a true freshman? Here's why. Whit did it because while in all likelihood Cain would have led the from behind to beat Wyoming it's been looking in all likelihood like he won't lead the Utes over TCU.
Whit is not content to settle for 10-2 and an invite to Backwater Bowl vs. Bo Diddly Tech BYU-style. He figures, maybe Wynne can do it--Wynne, with that pro-style game release, targeting that magnificent receiving corps, and the defense that is finally jelling. Maybe just maybe. . . . So he rolled the dice. What did he have to lose?
I would never question a Whittingham football decision from where I sit. But my gut tells me Wynne is already penned in as the starter against winless New Mexico. Why not? See if the kid an throw for 300 hundred yards against a terrible New Mexico team. This may be their best chance at another great year.
A good quarterback's effect on the team isn't just measured in yards. Statistically, Cain had the better half. But Wynn outscored him 19-3.
At least we know Whitt won't easily settle for or be content with 10-2 and the Backwater Bowl a la Bronco.
(NOTE: This analysis is not entirely original. Newmanscott22, not one of my favorite posters, I confess, said something like this last night. I think he nailed it.)
So why did he do it? Why did Whit roll the dice and replace Cain--fresh off a dramatic overtime win against that perpetual thorn in the side Air Force--with a true freshman? Here's why. Whit did it because while in all likelihood Cain would have led the from behind to beat Wyoming it's been looking in all likelihood like he won't lead the Utes over TCU.
Whit is not content to settle for 10-2 and an invite to Backwater Bowl vs. Bo Diddly Tech BYU-style. He figures, maybe Wynne can do it--Wynne, with that pro-style game release, targeting that magnificent receiving corps, and the defense that is finally jelling. Maybe just maybe. . . . So he rolled the dice. What did he have to lose?
I would never question a Whittingham football decision from where I sit. But my gut tells me Wynne is already penned in as the starter against winless New Mexico. Why not? See if the kid an throw for 300 hundred yards against a terrible New Mexico team. This may be their best chance at another great year.
A good quarterback's effect on the team isn't just measured in yards. Statistically, Cain had the better half. But Wynn outscored him 19-3.
At least we know Whitt won't easily settle for or be content with 10-2 and the Backwater Bowl a la Bronco.
(NOTE: This analysis is not entirely original. Newmanscott22, not one of my favorite posters, I confess, said something like this last night. I think he nailed it.)
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