What a way to make your first career start. After riding the bench all season while Brian Johnson led one of the most productive offenses in the country, Brent Ratliff now takes over for the injured Johnson and does so on the biggest stage the Utes will see all season: a road meeting with arch-rival BYU.
Ratliff can’t be expected to put up Johnson-like numbers, but Utah still has a chance if the junior can minimize his mistakes and play simple, efficient football, while letting playmakers like Quinton Ganther, Travis LaTendresse and Brent Casteel do the rest of the work. If he can do that, the Utes will be in it. If not, his first start will not be a happy memory-for him or for Utah football.
Chris Bellamy