The real key to us as a football team this year, in our estimation, is to have the ability to throw the football much more effectively. That is what kept us from winning the championship last year, is our inability to be efficient enough in the throw game. – Utah coach Kyle Whittingham
SALT LAKE CITY — The Pac-12 broadcast crew was in small-talk mode with Kyle Whittingham on Thursday, one analyst noting the Ute football coach is, hands down, the best-conditioned coach in the conference.
This must have set well with Whittingham, because he’s the guy who lifts weights with players. If he’d been called the best-dressed coach, he might have dropped a kettlebell on someone. For the occasion he wore a golf shirt and khakis.
As it was, the conversation on the annual Media Days broadcast began with the offensive and defensive lines at Utah. That’s a favorite Whittingham subject. He confirmed Utah will have among the best — if not the best — lines in the conference.
That’s how it usually goes.
But then he said something more candid: The Utes must get better at passing in order to win a championship.
It’s true the lines set a tone and do the groundwork in football, but realistically, to win championships, a team must have flash to go with the crash.
So there it is, as clear as a streak pattern. Twice the Utes have come one win from playing for the conference championship. Both times they were held back by lack of top-level quarterbacking. In 2011, Utah lost its regular season finale to Colorado, relegating the Utes to the Sun Bowl. They got all they could from Jon Hays, but his ceiling wasn’t high. Last year, with Travis Wilson under center, they tied USC for the South Division title but lost the playoff berth via head-to-head competition.
Even Mr. Bugs-in-your-Teeth Whittingham knows top teams need top quarterbacks.
“The real key to us as a football team this year, in our estimation, is to have the ability to throw the football much more effectively,” he said. “That is what kept us from winning the championship last year, is our inability to be efficient enough in the throw game.”
While it’s true Utah has earned respect in the conference, thanks to running backs such as John White and Devontae Booker, it hasn’t had a reliable quarterback since Brian Johnson, who won the 2009 Sugar Bowl MVP. However, this could be the year things change. You’ve heard that before, right? Wilson, Hays, Jordan Wynn, Donovan Isom, Brandon Cox, Conner Manning, Adam Schulz, etc., never became the answer. This year’s spring football proved more interesting than it has been in years. The projected starter is former Washington signal-caller Troy Williams, though true freshman Tyler Huntley and veteran backup Brandon Cox are serious contenders.
“The competitive environment at that position has been incredible,” Whittingham said. “In fall camp we’ll try to sort it out as quickly as we can, but right now we’re in a great situation.”
Maybe not great, but at least promising. The other part of his “throw game” package is receiving, which also was weak last year. But Tim Patrick is back from injury, as are now-experienced wideouts Caleb Repp, Raelon Singleton, Tyrone Smith, Cory Butler-Byrd and Kenric Young.
Why Utah has had so few significant quarterbacks is a mystery. The program is known for NFL-quality running backs. Otherwise, who knows? Maybe Whittingham doesn’t think about things like, oh, field generals.
In the past four decades, only Scott Mitchell, Alex Smith and Johnson have stood out.
Regardless, Whittingham denies his team will rest on its success after consecutive bowl wins because “we haven’t done anything yet.” (Is Jerry Sloan in the room?) Utah has defeated every team in the conference, but hasn’t won a title.
In its five seasons in the Pac-12, Utah has finished last in passing three times, 11th once and 10th once.
It’s probable Utah will again be a tough opponent. Its string of NFL-caliber defensive players will continue. Whether it plays for a championship, though, largely depends on improved air service.
Then the sky’s the limit. As the Southwest Airlines slogan says, thereafter “You are now free to move about the country.”
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