Utah Football’s Identity Has Never Altered Course Despite Fans Wishes

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Remember prior to the 2020 season when the talk of the local sporting world was that Utah Football was going to win games by throwing the football on offense?

Then the season began and fans were reminded of what Utah Football’s identity is, has been, and will likely always be. You can bet with great confidence that Utah Football under Kyle Whittingham will be a team that plays incredibly fierce and stifling defense, has solid special team talent, and runs the rock down opponent’s throats.

Unfortunately, for Utah fans who are hopeful that their beloved Utes can quickly transform into a pass-first juggernaut, they are likely going to have to wait a while.

It just will not happen under Kyle Whittingham, and that is okay.

Added a few to the #UBoyz over the last few weeks.

The official #UBoyz Class of 2021 🙌

Read about our guys here: https://t.co/BQ7It1SrMn #UtahNSD21 pic.twitter.com/A13iEfVG15

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 3, 2021

Whittingham has won 67 percent of games as a head coach at Utah. That number alone will keep Rice Eccles Stadium filled, fans itching to renew their season tickets and his job security safe and sound.

The dilemma that many Utah fans are now facing, however, is that they are ready for their team to take the next step. It’s now time for Utah to win championships and cement themselves as an annual college football playoff sleeper.

The loss of Bryan Thompson did not help Utah’s cause. Rather, the loss of Thompson took Utah backward. Thompson is an NFL caliber talent, his number may not show it, but his skill set and potential are unmatched.

He was Utah’s best outside catching threat and often drew a lot of attention from floating safeties, opening up other passing lanes for his teammates to utilize.

The quality that Thompson possesses will be greatly missed at Utah. It is likely that Utah struggles when it comes to stretching defenses down the field in 2021. Nobody could do that like Thompson was able to.

Heading into week 2 with some momentum 😤#UBoyz pic.twitter.com/f06EgYD6d4

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 1, 2021

Nonetheless, the show must go on. Utah will continue to be a threat in the Pac-12 under Whittingham, that is no longer a concern for Utah fans. But how will they insert themselves into the national picture? How on earth do they contend for the respect of the playoff committee?