Ute’s QB dilemma with injuries and retirement rumors – ‘What’s going on in Utah’?

The Utah Utes’ quarterback situation remains one of the most scrutinized aspects of the season as head coach Kyle Whittingham grapples with a decision following Cam Rising’s injury.

Rising, who had been a reliable starter, returned to action against Arizona State after recovering from a hand injury that sidelined him for several weeks. Unfortunately, his comeback was cut short by a season-ending injury during the same game, forcing the Utes to reconsider their options under center.

Under Whittingham, Utah’s football program is known for its lipstick, with minimal leaks — a rarity in college football. This secrecy has fueled the intrigue, especially surrounding quarterback Rising’s journey. As one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in college, Rising was expected to lead Utah to a Big 12 title in his seventh year. His career faced a major hurdle after a knee injury in the 2023 Rose Bowl that sidelined him for the entire season. Still, Whittingham praised Rising’s impact on and off the field, calling him a leader with the “it” factor. But that will have to wait until after Rising has had surgery. There are also strong indications that he is likely done in Salt Lake City and will play his eighth year elsewhere. At this time, Whittingham says his future for Rising is unknown.

Ute’s freshman Isaac Wilson, brother of Denver Broncos QB Zach Wilson, took on the starting quarterback role for much of the season. His performance, while mixed, kept him in this position until Utah’s recent road game against the Houston Cougars. During that game, Wilson completed 13 of 22 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown before being replaced by backup quarterback Brandon Rose in the third quarter.

Rose’s relief was disappointing, however, as he completed only seven of fifteen attempts for 45 yards and an interception. Whittingham indicated the change was intended to provoke a slow-paced offense rather than an outright switch in starting quarterbacks.

After the loss, Whittingham expressed his commitment to closely evaluating both quarterbacks. He noted that he would review the film during the upcoming bye week, focusing on whether Wilson or Rose could better advance the offense. Whittingham emphasized that Wilson had not necessarily lost his starting job, but that every player must meet a performance standard, especially in a high-stakes role such as quarterback.

In preparation for Utah’s crucial rivalry game against ninth-ranked BYU, Whittingham has decided that both Wilson and Rose will split reps in practice. He takes a cautious approach and recognizes the need to improve the offense while hesitating to predict a clear-cut solution. One side note to the QB battle is that Whittingham says Wilson has been struggling with injuries lately.

The competition between the two quarterbacks adds another layer of complexity to Utah’s already uncertain season, and whether a move will solve the team’s problems remains to be seen. As the Utes inch closer to their clash with BYU, all eyes will be on who will step up under center and whether that pick can finally stabilize Utah’s offensive inconsistencies. It will be a focus for interim offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who took over for Andy Ludwig less than two weeks ago.

However, the QB juggling is just a minor storyline for the Utes. Many are wondering if Whittingham is not preparing for his departure next month. Known for his cautious comments on retirement, he hinted in 2021 that he would not coach past age 65, a milestone he is approaching. Although he recently softened this stance, Whittingham’s admission that the end is near has caused fans to speculate about the future of the program.