Will firing Andy Ludwig be part of Kyle Whittingham's "tough decisions" at Utah?

Utes need an offensive overhaul to save the season before busting

Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The Utah Utes have now faced their third consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of TCU in a disappointing home game. This game was expected to be a much-needed rebound after back-to-back losses to the "Four Corner" foes from Arizona. But the Utes failed to show any significant improvement on the offensive side of the ball. Now standing at 4-3 on the season, the Utah football program finds itself in an unfamiliar and precarious position.

During his postgame press conference, head coach Kyle Whittingham hinted at the possibility of imminent changes. He indicated that the next 48 hours would be crucial for the program, with every aspect of the team up for evaluation. "There’s no mystery as to what our issues are," Whittingham said, acknowledging that the offensive struggles are at the forefront of the team's current predicament. His comment about everything being “up in the air” suggests that significant adjustments could be forthcoming, possibly signaling a shake-up in the coaching staff or player roles.

The frustration among fans was at a fever pitch, with the home crowd booing the team as they headed to the locker room at halftime. Whittingham remained composed, stating that fans had every right to express their displeasure given the team’s recent performances. While he expressed empathy for the supporters, he also pointed out that the program had delivered memorable moments in the past, though recent efforts have been far from their usual standard.

The Utes faithful were also calling for offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig to be fired. They were chanting it at Rice-Eccles Stadium and let their frustration spill over to social media.

The next few days could see sweeping changes, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, where Utah has struggled the most. One thing is certain, a new offensive coordinator could be in the works. It's a move that might be essential to turn the season around and restore some sense of optimism. With the Utes are on the brink of not making a bowl and the tough decisions await Whittingham and his staff, as they attempt to salvage what remains of a season teetering on the edge.