Utah QB Situation

[Flattop]

Utes still haven't decided who their QB is? There is a game next week guys! C'mon! I hate to say it but this season looks to be a disaster for the Utes.

I am prepared to accept a rebuilding season this year. Last season's success gives Kyle a pass this year. Even so, for a rebuilding year, Utah still has a good shot at winning 8, 9 or even 10 games.

[YOhio]

Don't you have to have been good at one time to bounce back?

Ummm...Utah State Football Champions in BOTH 1938 and 1951. Good heavens you must feel like a jackass right now.

[Flattop]

Well since this week the utes have been practicing in the afternoon and hitting the field at around 3:30 and Gunther's show ends at 2 he very well could have. You are right though, Gunther hasn't been able to attend all practices during camp. I will say that Gunther probably out every person in the media has the best idea of what is going on though. He played with a couple of those guys that are still there. I am sure he stays in touch with them.

The other thing that led to my reaction yesterday was that Gunther wasn't talking about how bad the QB situation was last week. Admittedly, I have only been listening off and on, but last week he was talking about how Cain was playing well enough to pull even or perhaps even ahead of Wynn. It certainly sounded like it was Cain playing well and not just Wynn struggling. But suddenly yesterday, because Whit hasn't named a starter publicly, the QB situation is bad. And my reaction was to say, "Gunther, you've been at 1280 too long."

[Flattop]

Today Gunther is saying that Cain won the job because he responded well to Wynn being named #1 on the depth chart. Cain has grinded this competition out like it was a job interview, moving the team without making mistakes. The question on Cain is whether he can go long. Cain is thinking first down, Wynn is thinking go long.

[Hot Lunch]

T But suddenly yesterday, because Whit hasn't named a starter publicly, the QB situation is bad. And my reaction was to say, "Gunther, you've been at 1280 too long."

Do you honestly think the qb situation isn't bad? It isn't bad because he hasn't named a starter. It is bad because you have 2 guys competing for the job that weren't in the program last year and haven't played a down at the D1 level.

When all is said and done, IMO anytime, no matter the future of the kid, when you have true freshman that is playing as good as the older guy in the program and could be the starter it isn't a good situation to be in that year. Great for the future of the kid and the team but not that particular year. That is by far the hardest position to make the jump to as a true freshman. Next year BYU will be in almost the same position. I believe that Jake Heaps is going to be the starter but the kid is going to have some major speed bumps along the way starting as a true freshman.

[cougjunkie]

Do you honestly think the qb situation isn't bad? It isn't bad because he hasn't named a starter. It is bad because you have 2 guys competing for the job that weren't in the program last year and haven't played a down at the D1 level.

When all is said and done, IMO anytime, no matter the future of the kid when you have true freshman that could you be your starter it isn't good. That is by far the hardest position to make the jump to as a true freshman. Next year BYU will be in almost the same position. I believe that Jake Heaps is going to be the starter but the kid is going to have some major speed bumps along the way starting as a true freshman.

Its not bad because Kyle Whittingham is the best coach and recruiter in the country. Remember Cain was a 4 star and JC offensive player of the year and Wynn had an offer from Colorado and hails from the same part of the country as Alex Smith. The only problem Utah has is keeping both future NFL quarterbacks happy.

[UtahDan]

Don't let some of these newbs antagonize you guys. I may need to do a post on how we approach the rivalry 'round these parts (looking at you, fellow Ute fans). I can see that a number of people are doing just want they did on Utefans or CB in this respect and that is not how it works over here.

[Flattop]

Don't let some of these newbs antagonize you guys. I may need to do a post on how we approach the rivalry 'round these parts (looking at you, fellow Ute fans). I can see that a number of people are doing just want they did on Utefans or CB in this respect and that is not how it works over here.

????

I'm just posting what I think.

[Flattop]

Its not bad because Kyle Whittingham is the best coach and recruiter in the country. Remember Cain was a 4 star and JC offensive player of the year and Wynn had an offer from Colorado and hails from the same part of the country as Alex Smith. The only problem Utah has is keeping both future NFL quarterbacks happy.

It might help if you didn't put words in my mouth.

I think Whit has demonstrated that he is a good coach and a good recruiter. I don't know how many stars Cain had. Stars are nice, I guess, but Utah has had some good players that didn't have a lot of stars; kids like Eric Weddle and Alex Smith come instantly to mind. I have heard good things about Wynn, but it's generally stuff about how he came early to the U and surprised everybody by being somewhat exceptional compared to most incoming freshman.

If Cain and Wynn are not playing well in practice as we get closer to USU, then the situation is bad. But today, Gunther is telling me that Cain is playing well. At least he is moving the chains and not making mistakes. The question is, can he go long.

[cougjunkie]

It might help if you didn't put words in my mouth.

I think Whit has demonstrated that he is a good coach and a good recruiter. I don't know how many stars Cain had. Stars are nice, I guess, but Utah has had some good players that didn't have a lot of stars; kids like Eric Weddle and Alex Smith come instantly to mind. I have heard good things about Wynn, but it's generally stuff about how he came early to the U and surprised everybody by being somewhat exceptional compared to most incoming freshman.

If Cain and Wynn are not playing well in practice as we get closer to USU, then the situation is bad. But today, Gunther is telling me that Cain is playing well. At least he is moving the chains and not making mistakes. The question is, can he go long.

Well since you are less then a week away from utah State I am guessing Utah needs Cain and Wynn to start playing well like yesterday. But if you are not worried that is good and to be honest you probably shouldnt be against Utah State or San Jose State.

Also that is Cains problem he cant go long nor does he dare for some reason. That is why Wynn was in the mix because he was a gunslinger. Being a gunslinger is the same reason Wynn wont be the starter because Utah needs someone to be conservative and not make mistakes. They are going to be in a lot of 17-10 games this year.

[Flattop]

Do you honestly think the qb situation isn't bad? It isn't bad because he hasn't named a starter. It is bad because you have 2 guys competing for the job that weren't in the program last year and haven't played a down at the D1 level.

When all is said and done, IMO anytime, no matter the future of the kid, when you have true freshman that is playing as good as the older guy in the program and could be the starter it isn't a good situation to be in that year. Great for the future of the kid and the team but not that particular year. That is by far the hardest position to make the jump to as a true freshman. Next year BYU will be in almost the same position. I believe that Jake Heaps is going to be the starter but the kid is going to have some major speed bumps along the way starting as a true freshman.

Wynn is something of a hybrid, having come in early and participated in spring ball. He's somewhere between an RS and a true frosh.

I know there are only so many successful JC transfer QBs, but it seems to me that the kid that can play is better than the kid whose been in the system or even had a few D1 snaps but isn't really good enough to be the starter. That's why I would take a Cain over a Louks, or a Mike Fouts over a Brandon Jones.

Some others would suggest that if you have a kid like Wynn -- and Heaps next year -- you go with the kid. You accept the bumpy road and hope short term pain leads to long term gain.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Also that is Cains problem he cant go long nor does he dare for some reason. That is why Wynn was in the mix because he was a gunslinger. Being a gunslinger is the same reason Wynn wont be the starter because Utah needs someone to be conservative and not make mistakes. They are going to be in a lot of 17-10 games this year.

I agree with this. Hopefully the defense will keep us on the correct side of those scores

[Flattop]

Well since you are less then a week away from utah State I am guessing Utah needs Cain and Wynn to start playing well like yesterday. But if you are not worried that is good and to be honest you probably shouldnt be against Utah State or San Jose State.

Also that is Cains problem he cant go long nor does he dare for some reason. That is why Wynn was in the mix because he was a gunslinger. Being a gunslinger is the same reason Wynn wont be the starter because Utah needs someone to be conservative and not make mistakes. They are going to be in a lot of 17-10 games this year.

This would definitely be a different story if Utah was opening on the road against a BCS conference team like it did the last three years.

[cougjunkie]

I agree with this. Hopefully the defense will keep us on the correct side of those scores

If Utah plays to their strengths I could start at QB and they would win 8-9 games. Play solid defense and run the football effectively.

[Flattop]

If Utah plays to their strengths I could start at QB and they would win 8-9 games. Play solid defense and run the football effectively.

So I guess the situation is "bad" because it means it Utah most likely won't go undfeated. I'll take it.