This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Hollywood, Calif.
There's Hollywood, and then there's the Utah Utes.
Nothing glamorous about their game has framed the Utes' rise in Pac-12 football. The setting of the Pac-12 Media Days varies slightly from one summer to another, while remaining within the backdrop of the "Hollywood" sign and the entertainment world.
The Utes themselves are consistent, doing what they do well and earning respect around the league, but not dazzling anyone with their offensive production. The Utes have the substance. They just need some style.
One of these years, they need this Hollywood exposure to take hold. Offensive tackle J.J. Dielman proved to be a well-spoken, helpful athlete, but it will be a good sign when the Utes stop bringing a lin eman to Media Days.
Descriptions of Utah, as former Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti discussed the program Thursday, are pretty much universal: "Toughness. Strong defense. Big, physical lines."
So is Aliotti's sense of what the Utes lack: "Not enough explosiveness on offense."
Through five seasons in the Pac-12, Utah keeps producing all-conference defensive linemen, but that's about all — except for a weird run of star kickers and return specialists.
That's not to devalue interior strength that other programs envy. "What I've always said about Utah is their inside [personnel] on both sides of the ball is as good as anybody in the country," said Glenn Parker, another Pac-12 Networks analyst.
Going against the Ute defensive line in practice is "a huge pain, but I know it's making me better," Dielman said. "When I get frustrated, when I may lose a rep or two, I hate losing, but you have to understand that you're playing against the best defense in the Pac-12."
Before this theme goes too far, it should be the said that the Utes are not strictly brutish anymore. If Utah's defensive line is nationally elite, the secondary is in the next tier. The Utes have gone from intercepting four passes in 2013 to picking off 22 of them last season, evidence of what nickel back Justin Thomas labeled "a great bounce-back from where we were to now."
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham believes the Utes' recruiting of players other than linemen is catching up. He also knows the Utes have to throw and catch the football more effectively in 2016 if they expect to win a Pac-12 South title. Whether the thrower is Troy Williams, Tyler Huntley or Brandon Cox, Whittingham wants his passing offense to rank in the middle of the conference.
For the Utes just to become that in the Pac-12, they need a 50-percent upgrade in yardage. Utah averaged 180 yards last season to rank 11th; No. 6 USC was just shy of 270 yards.
If improved efficiency, as opposed to raw yardage, is the goal, that's only a little less of a challenge. The Utes finished 10th in that category, managing to avoid interceptions, but not delivering much downfield production.
Imagine what Utah could have done with even an adequate passing game last season. The Utes went 10-3 overall, 6-3 in the Pac-12 to share the South title with USC, but Whittingham knows an outright championship and a berth in the conference championship game were there for the taking.
Whether the bigger share of the blame for 2015's issues goes to the quarterbacking, the receiving, the coordinating or the head coaching philosophy, there's enough to go around. But as always, when the Utes visit Hollywood in July, they provide hope for the upcoming season.
Things could be different in 2016, with a new quarterback, a new receivers coach and Whittingham's willingness to have Cory Butler-Byrd become a full-time offensive player. He's a talented cornerback, Whittingham said, but his future as a receiver creates more "upside" potential for him.
And the opportunity to improve is one thing Utah's passing game always has in its favor.
Twitter: @tribkurt Ahead of the Pac
Utah's all-time All-Pac-12 first-team selections:
Defensive linemen • Derrick Shelby (2011), Star Lotulelei (2011-12), Trevor Reilly (2013), Nate Orchard (2014), Lowell Lotulelei (2015).
Specialists • Reggie Dunn (2012), Tom Hackett (2013-15), Andy Phillips (2014), Kaelin Clay (2014).
Offensive lineman • Tony Bergstrom (2011).
Running back • Devontae Booker (2014).
Defensive back • Marcus Williams (2015).