Cain Not Able: Utah Should Look to Be More 'Fresh' at Quarterback

Maybe it's a sign. 

Sunday afternoon in Houston, Texas, a former Utes quarterback was summoned off the bench to provide a shot in the arm of adrenaline to a otherwise stagnant offense. 

Maybe it's a sign.

Former Heisman Trophy candidate and No. 1 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers, Alex Smith, provided the necessary effort and efficiency to nearly bring his team back from a 21-0 first-half deficit. 

Maybe it's a sign for Smith's Alma mater. 

Change isn't all that bad. Even Churchill was an avid supporter. 

"There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction," he said. 

Seven games into the 2009 season, the Utes are 6-1—hardly any reason to start clamoring at any and every issue at hand. 

Except for one. A big one. 

JC transfer Terrance Cain is a perfect fit for the offense. He's more than perfect. He's what Deron Williams or John Stockton is/was to a Jerry Sloan offense. 

His athletic ability is second-to-none on the Utes as a quarterback and his ability to make plays with his feet is a necessary for a spread offense, such as Utah's. 

He's made plays. 11 touchdowns and 1,503 yards passing is impressive to say the least. A year ago, former quarterback Brian Johnson had thrown for 12 touchdowns and 1,566 yards through the first seven games. 

As aforementioned, 6-1 is more than an apt and admirable job throughout the season, thus far. The offense is young and has had to deal with immense changes through injuries. 

Matt Asiata was supposed to be the main staple in the offense—he was going to help ease the load for the youngster and new guy, Cain.

He was lost to an ACL injury, but in the meantime Eddie Wide has looked to fit the bill and perhaps a piece of the puzzle. 

Is it unfair to judge a quarterback, fresh to the offense and program, only seven games into a season which has featured six wins?

Probably.

But, and it's a big one—Cain's struggles, as well as the entire offense's, has been bailed out by the ability to make the big play when needed to and not to mention the ultimate out that is the able-bodied Ute defense. 

In Utah's overtime win against Air Force on Saturday, Cain went 11-for-21 for 167 yards and one touchdown. Luckily, Cain hit receiver David Reed on a quick slant and the Utah play-maker was able to jet 90 yards for a touchdown. 

Minus that 90 yard dash and you're left with 77 yards. 

77 yards through four quarters and an overtime period.

Utah won the game having fumbled the ball six times. They had six first downs in the first four quarters. That's a little, como se dice, mind-boggling?

More so advantageous than anything. 

Cain is an athlete and a good quarterback, but his struggles as of late is a more than a problem—it's a glaring issue. 

Corbin Louks left for Nevada and now, waiting in the wings, is true freshman Jordan Wynn. Wynn, a prime West Coast recruit came to Utah over Colorado and opened so many eyes in spring ball that he flew up the depth chart and was, at one time, QB-1 this fall. 

Wynn's arm is much stronger than Cain's, and his accuracy, maturity, and knowledge of the offense has been praised by everyone on the Utes staff. 

It's hard to determine whether Cain should be benched or maybe it's just that Wynn should be the beneficiary of some game snaps. 

There's no doubt that Wynn is the future. Head coach Kyle Whittingham said he's a near spitting image of Smith. That certainly means something in terms of the ceiling the kid has.

The grind Saturday against the Falcons was evident for Cain and the Utah offense. Cain put the ball on the ground three times in the first half, having coughed it up twice. 

If the Cadet defense—although steady and very-talented—could muster up enough of a game-plan to completely shut down the Utah aerial attack, what's going to happen when the Utes head to Fort Worth for a showdown with that toxic Horned Frogs defense?

There comes a point where you can tell the quarterback is more concerned with the oncoming pressure than with where the ball needs to go. The Air Force defense rattled his cage and frankly, Utah was lucky to win. 

At 6-1, the margin for error is rather wide, albeit never that wide by any means under a Whittingham team. But when push comes to shove and you need to call upon the guy behind center to win a ball game, there needs to a sense of urgency and confidence. 

Can Cain provide that? He has the ability, without a doubt. 

Whether or not he can cut down on the turnovers and provide a steady head for an offense that has struggled to be consistent on a weekly basis. 

In his Monday press conference, 49ers head coach Mike Singletary summed it up in laymen's terms. 

"I feel that Alex Smith gives us the best chance to win," Singletary said. 

At the end of the day, that's what matters—winning, and this program is no stranger to that word. 

Although it's almost a near certainty that Utah will not give Wynn a shot at the starting position, it's got to be something brewing in the back of many minds. 

After all, that's why they signed the kid. Because they thought he would give them a superb change at winning.

Darn those gut feelings. 

Photo by: Ty Cobb