19.) Utah Utes
What You Need to Know
The Utes certainly ended 2008 on a high note as they demolished Alabama in the Sugar Bowl 31-17. It was their 8th consecutive Bowl win, but perhaps the one game that led to the most controversy and discussion in the offseason. Thanks largely to their dominance and #2 finish, a large population of college football fans felt Utah was unjustly not allowed to compete for the national title. It’s led to Congressional committees, blogosphere fodder, and the issue of the offseason for all of college football as the discussion rages on about how “fair” or “unfair” the BCS is.
For Utah, the offseason was less about reliving 08 and their lack of a cyrstal football, and more about Kyle Wittingham continuing the tradition built under Urban Meyer. Certainly 2008 was Wittingham’s best season, finishing ranked #2 and 13-0, but Wittingham has certainly made Utah a Mountain West frontrunner each and every year. His recruiting is solid, his talent now well stocked, and the future looks just as bright as the past for the Utes.
Offensively, Utah returns 5 starters, but did lose QB Brian Johnson and their top 3 receivers in Freddie Brown, Brent Casteel, and Bradon Godfrey who combined for 176 catches, 2020 yds, and 15 TDs. Returning for the Utes is senior RB Matt Asiata, an effective scoring threat along with his backups in junior Eddie Wide and redshirt freshman Sausan Shakerin. Battling for the starting QB position will be junior Corbin Louks and junior Terrance Cain, a transfer who was the National Junior College Offensive Player of the Year. Neither is Brian Johnson, but either is a decent option for the Utes.
Defensively, the Utes return 7 starters from a unit that ranked 11th in the country in total defense and 12th in points allowed. The defensive line has tremendous losses in DE Paul Kruger and DT Greg Newman, who combined for 111 tackles, 10 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss. Utah also loses both corners in Brice McCain and Sean Smith, who combined for 14 pass break ups and 6 INTs. Utah’s starting safeties are two of the best in the country in Joe Dale and Robert Johnson and will anchor an already solid defense to continued success.
Utah finds themselves in very unfamiliar territory as 2009 dawns. In recent years, they were certainly a talented team but had very little buzz surrounding them save for those exceptionally in the know. This year however, certainly everyone knows just exactly who Utah is. They made sure that was the case last January in New Orleans as they totally destroyed one of the country’s most prestigious football programs.
Who You Need to Know & Their 08 Stats
RB Matt Asiata: 146 att, 707 yds, 12 TDs
WR David Reed: 25 rec, 427 yds, 6 TDs
LB Stevenson Sylvester: 73 tkls, 3.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL, 4 PBU
Game to Watch
The most challenging non-conference game for the Utes will be September 19th at Oregon. In conference, two games stand between Utah and another Mountain West Conference title: @ TCU (11/14) and @ BYU (11/28). Extremely challenging games… both on the road.
They’ll Do Well If…
… the Utes find a quarterback who leads this team. Finding someone to totally replace a player like Brian Johnson is nearly impossible but finding the next great quarterback in the Utah lineage will have to happen for the Utes to be successful.
Season Outlook
For Utah, replicating last season’s unbelievable dream season will be challenging. But competing for a Mountain West title is well within their reach. Their three toughest contests are all on the road (Oregon, TCU, BYU) and I don’t forsee them losing more than 1 game in conference play. A great season for Utah is what we’re predicting, with the Utes finishing at 11-1 and with a great shot at a Mountain West title, but they must beat TCU, whom we also believe will stumble once in conference play.
