Nick Saban breaks down why Utah’s offense creates ‘tremendous problems’ for defenses
Oct 17, 2026, 12:25 PM | Updated: 1:04 pm
ESPN's College Gameday with Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit will be on location for BYU/Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. (Courtesy of Griffin Kemp, KSL Sports)
(Courtesy of Griffin Kemp, KSL Sports)
SALT LAKE CITY — Nick Saban has seen enough offensive football to recognize most of what appears on a film screen. Utah managed to give him something new.
During his “Coach Saban’s Film Room” segment on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” Saban examined the Utes’ use of multiple quarterbacks, shifting formations and unconventional backfields. One option play, in particular, left the longtime coach considering how he would even begin preparing defenders for it.
Coach Saban and Rece Davis take a look at Utah’s ‘mad science’ a few weeks before their matchup with BYU 👀
(via @CollegeGameDay) https://t.co/9g6YBCDjEz
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 17, 2026
“I’ve never seen this play before,” Saban said. “So how do you coach the defensive players to play this play?”
That question captured the challenge at the center of his breakdown. Utah can put Devon Dampier, Byrd Ficklin and Wayshawn Parker on the field together, move them around and change which player handles the ball. Defenses have to sort through those possibilities while still accounting for the pass.
“Utah creates tremendous problems for the defense,” Saban said, pointing to empty formations, four players in the backfield, two quarterbacks playing together and Wildcat packages.
“All these different variables that you have to get ready for, and they do a really good job of utilizing the personnel.”
Nick Saban sees a growing list of possibilities on offense
The segment highlighted how offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven has built ways to involve Dampier, Ficklin and Parker in the same play.
The first example featured a double pass that sent Parker down the sideline for an explosive gain on the opening play of a game.
Another showed Utah shifting from an empty formation into a backfield alignment that initially suggested a more conventional handoff.
Then the quarterback who handed off the ball became the pitch option.
Utah built an offense where two quarterbacks share the field at the same time, and nobody on their schedule has figured out how to defend it. Byrd Ficklin lines up at receiver, running back, wherever Utah needs him, then steps back in at quarterback like he never left. https://t.co/66LGDScfHz
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) October 16, 2026
For a defender, recognizing the handoff does not necessarily identify the eventual ball carrier. Pursue too aggressively, and Utah can move the ball outside to another threat.
The unusual exchange drew Saban’s strongest reaction and reinforced the segment’s broader theme: Utah keeps giving defenders reasons to hesitate.
Heavier personnel created another opportunity. On a counter concept, Saban identified an unblocked defender whose reaction dictated the play. If he chased the inside run, the quarterback could keep the ball and follow two big blockers into space.
The offense does not have to block every defender when it can make one choose between two threats.
Utah’s size, movement and the threat of a pass
Saban also highlighted 320-pound Semi Taulanga’s role at tight end and as a backfield blocker, including when No. 99 flattened a defender to spring Parker’s first touchdown against Iowa State.
Utah paired those heavy looks with quarterback motion, fakes and option pitches. Parker could take a direct snap, while either quarterback could run, receive a pitch or throw.
“Now you’ve got to defend all this and still defend the pass because these two guys are capable of throwing the ball,” Saban said.
That versatility gives the package substance. A crowded backfield does not guarantee a run, and a quarterback moving away from center remains a threat.
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The challenge starts during the week
The discussion acknowledged the defenses Utah had faced, but Saban focused on the challenge of getting a defense ready for its full menu.
“You’re not going to be able to practice all those variables each week with your defense,” Saban said. “You can’t play to all these plays.”
Utah’s personnel, formations and motion force defenders to get aligned, communicate their checks and play assignment-sound football against looks they may have barely repped.
That leaves opposing coaches with a preparation problem.
“How do you rep all these different scenarios when the game comes?”
