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SALT LAKE CITY -- As the Utes transitioned from the Mountain West conference to the Pac-12, there was cause for more speculation than we usually see at the beginning of the season.
Would Jordan Wynn be ready to play coming off shoulder surgery? How would the Utes’ secondary perform with no returning starters? Were the Utes sure they don’t want to keep Brian Blechen in the secondary instead of linebacker? What about the backfield — where Eddie Wide, Matt Asiata, and Sausan Shakerin were all gone.
Who would step up?
Most of all, could the Utes compete in the Pac-12?
Many fans felt like Utah had a legitimate chance to win the South Division. Most sports analysts picked them to finish in the middle of the South.
#poll
A near miss against USC in the Coliseum followed by a beatdown of BYU gave Utah fans high expectations where their leader — Wynn — went down with a new shoulder injury. Without Wynn, Utah lost to Washington and went on to lose to ASU and Cal to start 0-4 in conference play. The goal shifted from winning the South to winning a conference game.
After putting up their worst performance of the season against Cal, the Utes seemed aimless. They were the new kids in the neighborhood and everyone was picking on them. They needed a leader. They needed a new identity.
Through all of this, the defense still put up good numbers, ranking second in the conference in total defense. Unfortunately, during the same game that the Utes lost their starting quarterback, they lost safety Keith McGill, also to a shoulder injury. Utah moved Blechen from linebacker to safety and chose to rely on an untested sophomore at linebacker, Trevor Rielly.
On offense, John White IV was emerging as a legitimate threat from the backfield with three 100-yard games. At quarterback, John Hays showed progress, protecting the ball and managing the offense.
But would it translate into wins?
The wins started coming against Oregon State.
White ran for 217 yards, Blechen came up with a big-time sack, and the Utes got their first conference win, 27-8. The victory over the Beavers started a four-game streak with wins over Arizona and Washington State on the road and UCLA at home.
Since then, two players have emerged as leaders: Blechen on defense and White on offensive.
So, whose team is it? White is probably an easy sell, so I’ll start with Blechen.
Brian Blechen
When you think of a Kyle Whittingham-led football team, one word comes to mind: defense. He started at Utah coaching the defensive line and the front four is still what worries opposing coaches the most.
With players like Chaz Walker (second in the Pac-12 in tackles), Trevor Rielly (first on the team with five sacks), Conroy Black (four interceptions, tied for first in the conference), or any member of that nearly impenetrable front four, how can I say Brian Blechen?
Blechen, aka the Beekeeper, thanks to his unfortunate run-in with not one but two bees — how apropos is that for a nickname in the Beehive state? — is a symbol for the entire defense: tough, dependable, flexible, exciting, and fly-to-the-ball hard-hitting.
Defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake knows how good the defensive is, but makes special note of Blechen saying, “He makes us that much better.”
When I see Blechen, I think of Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers. You never know where he’s going to line up. When he attacks, he flies in, arms extended in an almost flamboyant style. Just don’t compare their hair.
Blechen is the type of player you have to gameplan for. On Nov. 16th, in a radio interview for 1320 KFAN, David Locke talked to Washington State head coach Paul Wulff. When asked who stands out on the Utah defense he called out Blechen — not only for his hitting but his ability to be in the right place at the right time.
If you happen to look away from the game but you hear a big hit, you can bet it’s No. 4 Blechen.
John White IV
White aka the Wolfman, for his self-professed love of wolves, is a junior college transfer from L.A. Harbor College. While there, he set numerous school records, led the league in rushing, led his team to two league championships and was named Central West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Even with all of those accolades, you always wonder if skill and ability at one level will carry over to a new level. White was one of three running backs who stood out at the beginning of fall camp, including Harvey Langi, and rugby crossover star Thretton Palamo.
White won the starting job and hasn’t looked back.
White is currently ranked 9th in the country in rushing with six 100-yard games and one 200-yard game. He is also the conference leader in touchdowns with 16.
To the Utes, he means more than just numbers, though. When Jon Hays took over at quarterback, White took the team on his shoulders. Hays did not yet have the acumen to run a Pac-12 offense and, as such, he relied heavily on White.
In the first half of the season, the offensive line was still striving for cohesion and consistency. Norm Chow’s offense relies on the run to open up the pass, but he limited Hays to short-range passes. Through all of this White essentially said, "Just hand me the rock. I’ll get it done. Thirty touches a game? No problem. Thirty-five? Is that all you’ve got?"
Despite all of the attention, White has been quick to deflect praise onto his offensive line. “We got off the ball. Our offensive line wanted it more than their defensive line,” he said after the Utes beat UCLA.
White is the key to Utah’s offense. The Utes are 7-0 when White rushes for at least 100 yards. Coach Whittingham is clear on White’s value to the team. “The formula is still there. If he goes over 100 yards, we win. If he doesn't, we've lost."
In an on-field interview with David Locke after a 30-27 victory over Washington State, Whittingham had this to say about White. “He’s as mentally tough and as physically tough of a football player as I’ve ever been around and I’m glad he’s on our side.”
Whose team is it?
I’ve made a case on both sides of the ball. Blechen on defense. White on offense.
Still wondering whose team this is? Where do the Utes draw their identity? I think the answer is clear: This is Kyle Whittingham’s team.
Chris is a long time member of The League of Utah Writers and a contributing writer to BleacherReport.com. Contact him at www.millerchris.com and Twitter @christoddmiller
