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Should the Steelers consider Jordan Love if he slips in the draft?

By Christian Brown

EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 31: Jordan Love #10 of the Utah State Aggies throws a second half pass while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 38-31. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 31: Jordan Love #10 of the Utah State Aggies throws a second half pass while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 38-31. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: Jordan Love #10 of the Utah State Aggies against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019, in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: Jordan Love #10 of the Utah State Aggies against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019, in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Jordan Love’s second game against a ranked opponent in 2018

Utah State’s second game against a ranked opponent was their week 12 game when they took on Boise State Broncos. Jordan Love shined during his performance against the Broncos completing 29 out of his 44 passing attempts,  for a total of 363 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one lone interception. Even though the Aggies did not come out on top, Love did not shy away from the spotlight in this top 25 match-up.

Why did Love’s production fall off during the 2019 season?

When comparing Jordan Love’s sophomore season to junior season, you can see a regression in almost all statistical categories. Not only did Love’s statistics regress, but overall Utah State did as well. They finished the 2019 college football season 7-6. Their total offense went from averaging 47.5 points per game(second out of 130 teams) in 2018 to averaging 29.2 points per game(sixty-fourth out of 130) the following year.

The main benefactor to the disappointing season for Jordan Love, and the Utah State football program is due to the transition from coach Matt Wells to coach Gary Anderson. After the Aggies impressive 11-2 year during the 2018 season, Wells got hired by Texas Tech University. The former Utah State head coach took six additional coaches with him to the Red Raiders program.

Coaching change

Utah State University proceeded to re-hire coach Gary Anderson for his second stint with the school. Anderson had already served as the head football coach prior to 2019. His first term with the team was between 2009 to the 2012 seasons. During that time frame he had a record of 26-24. Anderson’s best season with the team was during the 2012 college football season, the team finished the year with a record of 11-2.

After the season, he proceeded to become the head football coach at Wisconsin University. In addition to coaching for the Badgers, Anderson also coached for the Oregon State Beavers and served as an assistant for Utah’s football team during 2018.

Gary Anderson returning to Utah State was a no brainer, considering the school had a possible first-round draft selection in Jordan Love. Sadly, it did not go the way anyone had hoped. Was it all on the coaching transition though? I do not think so, and Love did not think so as well.

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