utes would not be very competitive, without 9 starters. So that is hog wash at best. Alabama, etc, have 4 and 5 star recruits all over the sideline. Cougs and Utes may be lucky to have 1 5 star recruit and a hand full of 4 star recruits. No, Cougs and Utes do not have the talent to replace injured players, like Alabama etc.
So keep apples to apples. If you expect the Cougs to replace Taysom with another 4 star recruit, it's just not going to happen.