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In conference play, Utah ranks last among Pac-12 teams in total offense. Well, you have to understand: The Utes are down to their No. 1 quarterback.
The struggles of their passing game sure would be easier to process with some kind of disclaimer, such as the Utes' quarterbacking injuries of the previous three seasons — or Utah State's starting its fourth QB in 2014, just as an example. All Utah needed was a new offensive coordinator and a healthy quarterback who wouldn't throw interceptions, right?
Even with those components, the Utes have regressed to their level of 2011, when they were just trying to piece together an offense in the absence of an adequate Pac-12 quarterback. This is not entirely Travis Wilson's fault, amid issues of play-calling, protection and route-running.
After Saturday's 19-16 overtime loss at Arizona State, the Utes are 6-2, ranked No. 20 and positioned for an intriguing remainder of November, including No. 5 Oregon's visit this weekend.
It's just that whatever momentum the Utes' passing game gained with a game-winning drive against USC was undone at ASU. Utah's statistics reached an absurd level in modern-era football, with Wilson's 12 completions (in 22 attempts) accounting for 57 yards. Subtract 26 yards via three sacks, and those 25 designed passing plays netted 31 yards.
Where have you gone, Jon Hays?
The Utes have proved the program can succeed in the competitive Pac-12 South, and coach Kyle Whittingham undoubtedly will earn a contract extension. The question remains whether Utah ever will develop a championship-level passing game, with no evidence suggesting that Dave Christensen, Whittingham's latest coordinator, is making much impact so far.
During Monday's news conference, Whittingham labeled the passing offense the "one thing that's really holding us back," citing it as an "ongoing problem" and "in a funk."
Whittingham mildly criticized Christensen's play-calling against ASU's aggressive defense, saying, "At some point, we've got to throw the ball over the top."
Logically, improvement should have come this year with Wilson or Kendal Thompson, coached by Christensen. Yet the Utes have some of the country's worst passing stats, and they still need two more Pac-12 wins to top the 2011 team's 4-5 mark.
Hays produced four victories in a row, thanks to a combination of John White's running, Utah's defense and some downtrodden opponents. Christensen is playing to the Utes' strength, with the discovery of running back Devontae Booker. I get that.
But it is as much an indictment of Utah's passing game as a tribute to Booker that his running is accounting for 51 percent of their total yards through five conference games. In August, Ute fans would have been thrilled if anyone promised that Wilson would stay healthy, perform well enough to keep Thompson mostly on the bench (the Oklahoma transfer has not appeared for two games, but is listed as a co-starter this week) and not throw any interceptions in 165 passes.
But something's missing. Part of Wilson's problem might be that he's too conscious of avoiding interceptions, as drummed into him by the coaches. He looks skittish at times, the protection is inconsistent and the receivers are not creating big plays, an issue further exposed by Dres Anderson's season-ending injury.
Utah's starting quarterback regularly appears at Whittingham's news conference, but Wilson was absent Monday. Assistant coaches are not routinely available.
Asked about the passing game, receiver Kaelin Clay said, "I believe we have the right scheme. I believe the play-calling is right. We just have to be on point with it."
The offense has an opportunity to improve, with three of the four opposing defenses (except Stanford's) ahead on the schedule ranking in the conference's bottom five.
The reality is Utah could be anywhere between 0-5 and 5-0 in the conference, so 3-2 is acceptable. Yet like a lot of Pac-12 South teams, the Utes probably will look back and know they could have done more to maximize the 2014 season. They still have a chance to do something special, but Booker can't upset Oregon all by himself.
The Ducks "do have some holes in their defense that we can attack," Clay said.
Actually exploiting them is a whole other issue.
Twitter: @tribkurt