Comments about ‘Utah Utes football: Offense still searching for rhythm’

"Senior quarterback Brian Johnson, who has thrown five interceptions, fumbled four times and been sacked 12 times, hasn't been pleased with his own performance in several instances this year."

Maybe it's time to accept the fact that Brian is just an average quarterback. As a senior, he should be excelling, especially against weak teams like Utah State and Weber State. There's no reason Utah should be settling for field goals against teams like that.

The Utes are fortunate that they have such a good defense, because their offense is mediocre, at best.

1. Has anyone else noticed that Johnson plays like he is afraid of getting hurt?
2. (A)Ludwigs formations often give away what is about to happen. One game last year the announcer had noticed it and was calling the play based on the formation. (B) Often after the snap there is this long pause before the play develops. The running yards would be much better if the backs could hit the holes faster.
3. Passing plays Johnson comes up locked on his intended receiver 90% of the time.

Max Hall____107 of 144 (74.31%), 7 TDs, 2 Ints, 1284 yds, 10.42 yds/cmp, rating 180.8 (6th)
Brian Johnson_92 of 133 (69.17%), 5 TDs, 8 Ints, 1129 yds, 8.49 yds/cmp, rating 152.8 (21st)

Max Hall has 15 TDs and 2 Ints
Brian Johnson has 8 TDs and 5 Ints

Aren't we supposed to be running over everyone at this point.

It concerns me. We hav had five weeks to shake off the rust against teams like Weber and Utah State and yeah, we have put up decent number's, but were not there and we just happen to be heading into the meaty part of our schedule with Oregon State and Wyoming coming up in the next two weeks. One of these guys beats up on USC and we all remember Wyo from what happened with the onside kick and such.

I know our guys can do it, but I am realistic at the same time.....consistency is a key to being successful. Our little brothers to the southseem to be enjoying more of that despite who they play.

Let's go utes!!!!!!!

I think if the media was watching Utah play, they wouldn't be ranked #15. Still, being 5-0 is pretty good. I too agree that Johnson should be shattering records. After that one year when he was a top 5 passer, I thought for sure this year he'd be right there again.

I thought the 5-2 record vs ranked opponents was interesting. This year, W over #1 USC. Last year, wins on the road at #2 Cal and at #17 Oregon. 2006, W at #24 Hawai'i and vs #3 USC. This team can beat ranked teams on the road. They seem to get up for ranked teams on the road like Utah can. This OSU team is a real threat, and they showed it last week against a supposed unstoppable USC team.

If they make even close to the same mistakes they made vs Weber and USU, they will not win. 4 days is not enough to get those issues fixed.

Johnson has consistently gotten worse each year. Some quarterbacks have it and some don't. His internal clock in the pocket and when to get to get out of their has not changed in 4 years. He is good for a fumble about once a game. It is obvious by the formation whether Utah is running or throwing in most cases. Ludgwig needs to move Johnson around a little more often so that the defense can't get there timing down and sack him. My nickname for Johnson is Brainfreeze, and yes he does try to avoid being hit....gunshy works for me. Ludwig also has the worst play calling sequences I have seen in a while. They are not tied together to confuse the defenses...Just Hey Gomer that play loooooksss gooood letssss try that... that'lll fool...emmm

Which is more important, yards or points?

If the ultimate goal is to outscore your opponent, then limiting the opponent's scoring would seem to be more important than winning the stats war.

Utah is ranked #5 in total defense at 231.40 yds/gm, just ahead of TCU at 233.60 yds/gm.

BYU is #27 in total defense at 303.50 yds/gm.

Advantage Utah and TCU, in yds/gm defense.

What about scoring defense, though?

In scoring defense, BYU is ranked #7 at 11.0 pts/gm.

TCU is #14 at 13.2 pts/gm.

Utah is tied for #41 at 19.6 pts/gm.

If I were a Utah fan with an offense that has struggled all season, I would be much more concerned with having a defense that can keep other teams from scoring, rather than simply limiting the number of yards.

Part of the equation for why Utah's defensive yards per game look so good is because Utah's offense keeps giving up the ball deep in Utah territory allowing for short drives by the opponent that don't produce yards, but do produce points.

Turnover Margin
TCU is tied for 7th at +1.60/gm.
BYU is tied for 13th at +1.25/gm.
Utah is tied for 69th at -.20/gm.

Utah hasn't had a problem winning the big games in the past it is the little ones that get us. Utah has played well enough to get by the little ones and I expect them to take it to OSU and get it done.
The coug fans are scared that the Utah pieces are going to come together on Nov 22 and there won't be a thing that they will be able to do to stop it!!

Hall has a higher rating....BFD!! "My dad could beat up your dad".....silly zoobs!!!

U in November. MANY BYU fans purchased Utah season tickets this year, we've had ours since July, just so we would be guaranteed a ticket to the BYU/Utah game.

I've watched all of the Utah games, except Weber State, and frankly, this "the Utah pieces are going to come together" is looking like a pipe dream, so far. Maybe they will; maybe they won't, but, almost halfway through the season, Utah has yet to put a complete game together. Good defense. Spotty offense.

And, in case you're counting on RES to be the magical ingredient to a Utah win, consider, BYU is 6-4 the last 10 meetings in RES, 2-2 this decade.

Your O-line can't protect your QB, your QB can't protect the ball, your d-line can't stop the run without four linebackers behind them to help, oh yea, I'm really worried. LOL!!!

See what? Johnson getting sacked again and again, and then either fumbling the ball or throwing an interception. The ute defensive line unable to stop a running attack without nine guys in the box. Get real. No my friend, you'll see.

BYU's Strength of Schedule is 111 and will get worse before it gets better. I would rather the Utes peak in November rahter than in some meaningless game against an awful UCLA team in September. Also, comparing the two QB's turnovers is legit but all other stats are completely meaningless; neither one could do the others job in their respective offence.

Watched all 5 games this year and I have my fears with Oregon State. Are the Utes going to play a complete game? Is Ludwig going to open it up with his play calling? Will we hang on to the ball? Is Johnson going to get sacked or run it? Are the defensive backs going to stay with their assignments? These are some of the questions that I have and Im not the only one asking - so are a few other folks:

There have been too many turnovers, too many sacks and too many stalled drives against inferior competition. In easy wins over Utah State and Weber State. The Utes rank near the bottom in the national stats in sacks allowed at No. 103, are tied for 93rd in turnovers lost and are tied for 69th in turnover margin. - Mike Sorensen

Oregon State is probably licking their lips with those 2 stats.

Sometimes we hold the ball too long, sometimes our protection's broken down and sometimes the route structure has been very poor and we're not getting open, - Kyle Whittingham

Johnson, O-line, Ludwig take notes here important stuff the BOSS is seeing these things.

Utah will want to solve the turnover problem before they play BYU, who has been very good at capitalizing on turnovers recently. You don't want to give Max Hall and the BYU offense a short field, even if that short field is inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Question: is Utah still planning the "black out" game against TCU?

What we need for consistency is a player with a helmet the size of a hot air balloon. Pump it up with helium and see what happens.
We need the lack of turnovers to be one of the foundational pillars of the program.
The fact that they have a problem with turnovers and are still 5-0 is very telling.
re: 'to:you will see' 12:36. Tell me a defense who can stop the run without linebackers. The role of the D-line is to pick up the blocks intended for the LBs so the LB can make the tackle.

yes, although I hope it won't be a curse like it was for Georgia.

I agree with Ernest! Show me a defense that shuts down the run without using linebackers and I will show you a horrible offensive line!

While you have a valid point, please don't pretend to be Ernest. We know you are not him as you are not trying to rile people up with ridiculous comments. Will the real Ernest T Bass please stand up?

If Brian Johnson is an average QB then we are in trouble next year. or this year if Brian gets hurt again. The U really needs some proven JC talent for next year. I hope they are looking there will be a void.