[Mick]

[quote author=81alum link=topic=17595.msg204455#msg204455 date=1507330498]
At the chalk talk last week, it was asked whether the playbook would be limited because Costello was starting, and we were assured that Costello was quite advanced and that was not a consideration.

Sorry, but I don't buy it. The ASU and UCLA games were for certain played with lots of simplification of the passing game. It could be that doing more wasn't necessary, but I don't think that was the reason. It is prudent to not ask or expect the "new kid" to do "too much". Now, I fully expect that Costello can execute, in theory, any play in the playbook. I also expect he can probably execute any plays installed this week (if he got first string reps, which he may not have). Whether he can execute all the plays that were installed in fall camp reliably, I am less certain. That can matter a lot. I don't believe for one second that Shaw would call the same plays for Costello as he would for Chryst.
[/quote]

I think Goose is right.  Utah has the best defense in the conference, by a margin, if you're talking about takeaways, interceptions and passes defended on a per-pass basis.  I think Shaw is naming Chryst starter in part to throw off Utah's very difficult defense, or at least make them work harder.  Also, Chryst has had the road games against tough opponents; he's battle-tested against U$C and SDSU on the road, KJ's games have been against two easier teams at home.  Finally, it's a lot easier to start Chryst and relieve him with KJ than vice versa.  I do think we'll see nine in the box.  Hopefully we'll see greatly improved OL play (versus OL play against SDSU and U$C).  Keep in mind, Utah gives up more yards through the air.  If they're seven in the box against Costello and nine in the box against Chryst, perhaps we have a better chance with Chryst through the air?  Utah's run defense is easily the best we'll see all year, though they don't actually get a lot of sacks.  Could be, maybe Shaw is not smoking something.

The real question, in my eyes, is how much rope he gives Chryst.  If he has a few three-and-outs, that's one thing.  What if he gets a TD and two field goals in five possessions?

[Mick]

[quote author=81alum link=topic=17595.msg204455#msg204455 date=1507330498]
At the chalk talk last week, it was asked whether the playbook would be limited because Costello was starting, and we were assured that Costello was quite advanced and that was not a consideration.

Sorry, but I don't buy it. The ASU and UCLA games were for certain played with lots of simplification of the passing game. It could be that doing more wasn't necessary, but I don't think that was the reason. It is prudent to not ask or expect the "new kid" to do "too much". Now, I fully expect that Costello can execute, in theory, any play in the playbook. I also expect he can probably execute any plays installed this week (if he got first string reps, which he may not have). Whether he can execute all the plays that were installed in fall camp reliably, I am less certain. That can matter a lot. I don't believe for one second that Shaw would call the same plays for Costello as he would for Chryst.
[/quote]

I think Goose is right.  Utah has the best defense in the conference, by a margin, if you're talking about takeaways, interceptions and passes defended on a per-pass basis.  I think Shaw is naming Chryst starter in part to throw off Utah's very difficult defense, or at least make them work harder.  Also, Chryst has had the road games against tough opponents; he's battle-tested against U$C and SDSU on the road, KJ's games have been against two easier teams at home.  Finally, it's a lot easier to start Chryst and relieve him with KJ than vice versa.  I do think we'll see nine in the box.  Hopefully we'll see greatly improved OL play (versus OL play against SDSU and U$C).  Keep in mind, Utah gives up more yards through the air.  If they're seven in the box against Costello and nine in the box against Chryst, perhaps we have a better chance with Chryst through the air?  Utah's run defense is easily the best we'll see all year, though they don't actually get a lot of sacks.  Could be, maybe Shaw is not smoking something.

The real question, in my eyes, is how much rope he gives Chryst.  If he has a few three-and-outs, that's one thing.  What if he gets a TD and two field goals in five possessions?