First, I am appalled and slightly concerned that we are having a quarterback debate at this point in the season. It can never be a good thing if coaches are questioning the quarterback eight games in and with the likes of TCU and BYU on the horizon. However, given the Wyoming game, it’s something that has to be considered.
After watching Saturday’s game and the seven games before that, I think Jordan Wynn should take the reins for the rest of the season. Sure, he came in and pretty much saved the day against Wyoming, but that has very little to do with why Wynn deserves the nod. Rather, it’s Terrance Cain’s performance that warrants the change.
Cain wowed fans in the opener against Utah State and I, along with everyone else, thought head coach Kyle Whittingham made the right choice in giving the junior college transfer the starting job. After all, some experience is better than none, but Cain’s performance has worsened week by week.
He missed a snap in the Wyoming game, causing a loss of 18 yards and putting Utah out of field-goal range. Last week against Air Force, Cain fumbled the ball three times, and if it wasn’t for the stellar defense, it would’ve cost the Utes the game. In Oregon, in the middle of a Utah comeback, Cain threw two interceptions that essentially squashed any chances of Utah coming back to get the win.
After Oregon, I didn’t lose faith. Cain and the Utes were playing against a tough team, in a loud stadium and in the rain8212;not ideal circumstances by any means8212;but his game hasn’t improved greatly since then, so maybe it is time to try something new.
Wynn came into the Wyoming game and completed 9-for-14 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, not bad for his first college game ever. The 19-year-old has been eating like crazy and has gained almost 45 pounds since he came to the U, according to broadcasters on The Mtn. Coaches have said he reminds them of Alex Smith and how he led the Utes to the Fiesta Bowl, the first appearance by a non-Bowl Championship Series team in a BCS bowl. Although he hasn’t had the chance to show it off yet, Wynn has great arm strength. So why not give him a chance?
Something has to be done about the offense, or the Utes might not get past New Mexico this weekend (OK, maybe a bit of an exaggeration) let alone TCU or BYU. Cain had his chance. In fact, he had several chances and hasn’t proved that he deserves another one. I’ve seen Cain make a few great plays this season, but it’s not enough to offset the mistakes, something the coaches showed when they pulled him against Wyoming. The Utes need something to get the offense going, and maybe Wynn is the shot of life the Utah offense needs to kick it into high gear.
Regardless of what coaches decide, a decision needs to be made now. Going to Fort Worth in two weeks is not going to be pretty if the team doesn’t have a clear leader.
Let Wynn take the reins and show the fans and coaches what he can do. Who knows, maybe he’ll be the next Alex Smith.
