He's basically saying that with Rising Utah is a definite B12 champion and legitimate contender for a national title, but without him Utah is just a lower tier B12 team. In my humble opinion that puts WAY too much responsibility on Rising. One player, even an elite QB (when healthy), doesn't change a team from a mediocre, also-ran to one of the best teams in the nation.

What about Utah's supposedly high-touted defense? What does Rising have to do with that? At the very least, a top-notch defense should keep Utah in games, even with a mediocre offense. But it sounds like everything at Utah is kind of falling apart. Does one injured QB cause that kind of disaster? If so, Utah isn't and never was a team. It was just Rising and a collection of inferior supporting characters. And if that's how people associated with the program really feel, then there's no easy sustainable way forward.

This season for Utah is not just about Rising's health. It appears there is a host of issues. The fact that he's injured is just an easy way to excuse all the issues affecting the program.