3-Peat No More? Why Utah Utes' Dream Season May Be Derailed by Injuries
When the Utah Utes saw their final AP ranking come in following their second straight Rose Bowl loss, a sense of disappointment set in.
The Utes had just finished their second straight 10-win season and earned their second straight Pac-12 title, but the aforementioned loss made none of that matter — at least not for that particular season. What it did mean, however, was that Utah was in a strong place. And if you'd have asked coach Kyle Whittingham about it, he'd have affirmed that belief.
It was how the entire team felt, after all.
“I think it’s the most talented team we’ve ever had,” Whittingham said prior to the Utes' 2023-24 season on The Preferred Walk-On Show. "I really do. From one to eighty-five as far as your scholarship roster.”
Sep 3, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on during the second half against the Florida Gators at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports.
Whittingham wasn't speaking an empty truth. His team had the talent – especially with Rising at quarterback — to compete not only with the Pac-12, but with the NCAA as a whole, and having just fallen short both of the previous two years, his squad felt ready.
“It’s about assembling talent and developing and managing that talent," Whittingham said. “You recruit, you develop, you manage, and our assistant coaches have done a phenomenal job of developing players through the years as well."
“If everything falls into place and we get Cam [Rising] back on the field sooner rather than later, we stay healthy ... I mean, who knows,” the veteran coach added. “It’s possible to have a three-peat."
That was also true. Little did he know, however, that the Utes would in fact, not stay healthy. They'd be far from that, actually.
Thomas Yassmin was the latest roster casualty for Utah, as the tight end was ruled out for the year with an undisclosed injury just a few days after Mycah Pittman was dealt the same fate. With the pair's absence, the Utes have only sank even further into their shorthanded hole, which has told the story of their disastrous "dream" season.
So far this season, eight Utah players have been ruled out for the season, while 27 "consistent contributors" have missed at least one game. Not great numbers for a team looking to repeat as Pac-12 champions.
However you spin it, Whittingham's squad has endured anything but a regular season thus far. Between Rising's rapidly-approaching redshirt and the Utes' overall injuries, it would be hard to blame on-field talent for not winning games. That much is known, but at the same time, there is a horizon.
Utah will enter the Big 12 next season with a fresh start, a loaded roster and another chance to bounce back from their back-to-back Rose Bowl losses. If Cam Rising does end up with a redshirt and another year of eligibility, he'll continue to be the face of the Utes as well — all the workings of a winning recipe.
And in an ideal world, Whittingham and company get a chance to truly show the college football world what they're capable of — scot-free.
