UTAH UTES

Kyle Whittingham, Utah Football In Need Of Change Following 13-7 Loss To TCU

Oct 20, 2024, 10:59 AM | Updated: 11:08 am

Utah Utes Football head coach Kyle Whittingham...

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 19: Kyle Whittingham head coach of the Utah Utes watches a replay during the first half of their game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Rice Eccles Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Football suffered its third-straight loss, this time in a painful 13-7 defeat to the TCU Horned Frogs.

The Utes defense did all that it could to keep them in striking distance, but the offense failed to produce yet again.

Utah’s inability to make offensive progress is now quite alarming. Given last night’s performance, serious questions linger around the program.

RELATED: Offensive Struggles Doom Utah Football In Deflating Loss To TCU Horned Frogs

The issues are obvious, Utah’s offensive coaches are failing

“I guess we’re fine other than not being able to score points, make first downs, run the ball, throw the ball efficiently, make a conversion on 3rd or 4th down, other than that I think we’re okay,” an obviously frustrated Kyle Whittingham stated.

Utah’s offense finished the game with the following totals:

  • 267 total yards, 199 passing, 68 rushing
  • 12 1st downs, 2-of-15 on 3rd down, 0-of-2 on 4th down
  • 4 sacks allowed, 8 tackles for loss given up
  • 0 trips to the red zone
  • 11 punts
  • 7 points

The offense has seemingly deteriorated over time. Not only in the sense of production but its character. The offense has lost its identity and feels out of touch with the personnel on the field.

Everyone understands that there is going to be a dropoff from an experienced quarterback to a true freshman. This steep decline is not though. The offense doesn’t need to be this complicated and production doesn’t have to be this difficult.

What sort of changes could be on the way?

“There’s no mystery as to what our issues are, they’ve shown up for three weeks in a row now,” he said. “So, we’ve got to look at everything really hard in the next 24-48 hours and make some tough decisions.”

Knowing the offense is struggling is one thing but the willingness to make the changes necessary is another. When asked whether there could be changes to the offensive staff, Whittingham didn’t dismiss the possibility.

“Everything’s up for evaluation and we will evaluate,” Whittingham stated.

The offense was painfully predictable for the majority of the night. The TCU defense could seemingly tee off into the backfield without fear of any consequences. They knew what was coming and played a step ahead of the Utah offense.

The entire offense is out of sorts. It also has not shown any signs of progress in three games. There seems to be only one change that would be of any significance; a change in offensive coordinator duties.

RELATED: Takeaways – Utah Loses Third-Straight In 13-7 Loss To TCU

What about player personnel changes?

Questions abound around Utah’s personnel decisions too. There are players who have proven themselves at this level but have been completely non-existent in Utah’s plan of attack this season.

In football, coaches typically meet after the week of practice for final run-throughs of the game plan. It is also there where head coach and assistants determine personnel packages and who will play.

Given the absence of players who have proven themselves at this level- Jaylon Glover, Landen King, and Munir McClain, it’s also time to thoroughly evaluate the thought process on those personnel decisions.

Depth is not just about having insurance, it’s about having multiple options and skillsets available. Utah’s unwillingness to utilize certain players or the depth at various also needs to change.

A season on the brink

After four straight wins to start 2024, Utah’s season has nose-dived with three consecutive losses. These weren’t just ‘losses’ though, these were demoralizing and embarrassing defeats.

Suddenly, with five games left to play, Utah’s bowl eligibility is seriously up for debate. The leaders will do all they can to keep the team together but Whittingham’s program faces a tough task now.

Preseason expectations were quite high for this team. The dropoff has been abrupt and it’s been steep. Whittingham needs to thoroughly evaluate the issues that have plagued their 2024 campaign, that much is obvious.

However, we’re now to the point where Utah leadership needs to evaluate the big picture. There has to be greater concern for the future of the program.

Utah cannot afford to stagnate and fall behind in the constant evolution of college football. Unfortunately, after last night’s performance, it’s starting to feel like it has.

Utah Football 2024 Season Results:

The Rest Of The Utes’ 2024 Schedule:

  • Utah Football @ Houston Cougars on Saturday, October 26
  • Utah Football vs. BYU Cougars on Saturday, November, 9
  • Utah Football @ Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday, November 16
  • Utah Football vs. Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, November 23
  • Utah Football @ UCF Knights on Friday, November 29

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts The Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

 

  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Devaughn Vele #17 of the Denver Broncos...

Brian Preece

Broncos Send Former Utah WR To Saints For Draft Pick Compensation

The Denver Broncos are reportedly sending second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for draft pick compensation. 

8 hours ago

Elijah Davis #9 of the Utah Utes...

Brian Preece

Utah’s Elijah Davis Primed To Be ‘One Of The Best Corners In The Big 12’

Utah Utes redshirt freshman cornerback Elijah Davis is in line to play a significant role in the middle of defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley's secondary.

13 hours ago

Rice-Eccles Stadium Big 12 logo Utah Utes ESPN Top 100...

Brian Preece

Utah Football Star Ranks High On List Of Top 100 College Football Players

The 2025 ESPN Top 100 college football players list is out, and two Utah Utes made the cut.

14 hours ago

Morgan Scalley feeling good about the Utah defense....

Steve Bartle

‘Solid, Solid Camp’ For Morgan Scalley’s Utah Defense

Morgan Scalley and his defensive assistants have cultivated good progress throughout the Utah defense.

14 hours ago

Davis Darts football Bode Sparrow...

Brian Preece

Davis Darts Phenom Bode Sparrow Schedules Official Visits With Utah, BYU

A do-it-all athlete for the Davis Darts, three-star prospect Bode Sparrow is scheduled to visit seven potential colleges this fall, including Utah and BYU.

16 hours ago

Jason Beck, Utah fall camp, skill positions, 2025 season....

Steve Bartle

‘Guys Have Been Emerging’ According To Utah OC Jason Beck

Utah has concluded camp and Jason Beck feels they've got a good idea of who they can game plan around for the season opener in Pasadena.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 11

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 10

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 9

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 8

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Page was generated in 0.066801071166992