Utah Football Must Win Conference Championship While Whittingham Is Still In Charge
Jan 8, 2021, 3:14 PM
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Football program has been knocking on the door of a conference championship a lot over recent years, how long will Utah fans have to wait until the Utes crown the Pac-12?
It is a daunting thought for Utah fans following consecutive trips to Levi’s Stadium in 2018 and 2019, yet, no championship to show for it.
The 2019 game, in particular, was troubling. Utah had a team that was stacked with talent and everybody knew it. Utah was on the verge of finishing the 2019 season as a College Football Playoff debutant.
Myself and @SBartle247 are getting ready to record our first podcast episode of 2021.
From a broader perspective, what gives you hope that @Utah_Football can win a P12 title sooner than later?#ItsUtahsWorldPodcast
— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) January 8, 2021
Utah’s defense had six future NFL draft picks. Running back Zack Moss was the best tailback in the conference and senior quarterback Tyler Huntley was seasoned and experienced. The entire team was filled with veteran players.
That 2019 Utah football team was unable to get the job done. So, what makes you think that future Kyle Whittingham led teams can accomplish something no Utah football team has accomplished before?
“I question whether Kyle Whittingham can lead a Utah team to a Pac-12 title,” Tom Hackett said on a recent episode of the It’s Utah’s World podcast. “The recruiting classes that continue to get better, and the fact that 70 percent of Utah’s roster were freshman in 2020 gives me a lot of hope,” Utah insider Steve Bartle said in response to Hackett.
.@_SNOOP1 was efficient against the Buffs. Now it’s time to meet the Ducks. 😤
The #Pac12FCG title is up for grabs between @Utah_Football and Oregon this Friday at 5 PT / 6 MT. pic.twitter.com/YccjjvyW4g
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 5, 2019
The fact of the matter is that every year the Utah recruiting class improves. The coaching staff is progressing and the program is only getting stronger. The caliber of recruits these days is night and day better than when Utah first joined the Pac-12 in 2011.
Utah is currently in the rebuilding stage. Most of the impact players are underclassmen and are learning how to evolve into elite Pac-12 talents.
The program is setting itself up for glory in a handful of year’s time when the likes of Nate Ritchie, Clark Phillips, Cameron Rising, Micah Bernard and others grow into their roles and guide the Utes to Pac-12 glory.
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Make no mistake, however, the pressure is on. Kyle Whittingham is entering the final years of his coaching career and if he hopes to cement his legacy on the state of Utah then a conference championship is certainly required.
Under Kyle Whittingham, Utah has secured a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama, multiple bowl wins, many NFL draft picks, and a successful transition into a power five conference. A Pac-12 championship is the only trophy missing and it must occur between now and 2024.
The ‘It’s Utah’s World’ Podcast
Former University of Utah punter, Tom Hackett, alongside Utah insider Steve Bartle join forces to deliver the most informative, entertaining and enjoyable Utah Football related podcast. From recruiting news to inside the locker room stories, Hackett and Bartle will keep you up to date with the happenings of Utah football. A serious podcast about men strapped in protection that can occasionally turn frivolous, well, only if local Salt Lake City food destinations gets brought up. We digress, if you are a fan of Utah football, or just football in general, click subscribe and let the good times roll!
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