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by
Joel Welser
#38 Utah
Utes
Mountain West
2006 Record: (8-5, 5-3)
Coach: Kyle Whittingham (15-10 at Utah, 15-10
overall)
Starters Returning: 16 (9 offense, 5 defense,
2 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost: QB Brett Ratliff, OL
Tavo Tupola
Offensive Starters Returning: RB Darryl
Poston, WR Brent Casteel, WR Brian Hernandez, WR Derrek Richards, TE Matt Sims,
OL Zane Beadle, OL Jason Boone, OL Robert Conley, OL Kyle Gunther
Defensive Starters Lost: DT Paul Soliai, DT
Kelly Talavou, DE Soli Lefiti, LB J.J. Williams, CB Eric Weddle, S Casey Evans
Defensive Starters Returning: DE Martail
Burnett, LB Joe Jiannoni, LB Malakai Mokofisi, CB Brice McCain, S Steve Tate
Starting Specialists Lost: none
Starting Specialists Returning: K/P Louie
Sakoda
If it was not for a brutal schedule, Utah would be a
candidate along with fellow Mountain West Conference member TCU to bust into a
BCS game. With an experienced offense and a decent defense, the Utes have the
potential to be a great team. However, their record will not be an indication of
how good Coach Kyle Whittingham’s team will really be.
Offense:
The loss of quarterback Brett Ratliff is practically
not a loss at all. Ratliff had a good senior season, throwing for 23 touchdowns
and nine interceptions, but the Utes return the conference’s leading passer of
2005. Brian Johnson underwent knee surgery in December of 2005 and missed the
entire 2006 campaign. The former second team all-MWC honoree knows the offense
and is a much more dangerous runner than Ratliff. Johnson will find plenty of
receiving options since Utah returns their top six receivers. The speedy Derek
Richards and red zone target Brent Casteel will lead the way.
The only thing that will stop the Utah passing game
is Utah’s pathetic rushing attack. Darryl Poston returns, again, and the seventh
year senior will lead the running game. Poston only posted 553 rushing yards,
but that doubled anybody else on the team. He is a decent slasher, but will not
break the big runs and in his 145 rushes last year, an 18 yard carry was his
longest. Power backs Darrell Mack and Ray Stowers also return, but somebody has
to step up and bring some life to the backfield or the quarterback will be the
team’s leading rusher.
Defense:
Utah rotates their linemen on a regular basis and
that means there are plenty of experienced options to replace Kelly Talavou and
Paul Soliai. Kenape Elipo and Gabe Long are the probable starters at tackle, but
there are less concerns on the ends. Martial Burnett, Alex Puccinelli and Greg
Newman saw plenty of playing time in 2006 and return for 2007. The linebackers
will be lead by second team all-conference player Joe Jianonni and seniors
Malakai Mokofisi and Kyle Brady will fight it out again for the starting honors
at the stud linebacker position. Despite the loss of rover J.J. Williams,
Stevenson Sylvester is a quality replacement who earned the starting job last
year before suffering an ankle injury.
The secondary is where Utah fans start to worry.
Outside of free safety Steve Tate and corner Brice McCain, there is very little
experience. Former wide receiver Sean Smith and special teamers Joe Dale, Justin
Jones, R.J. Rice, R.J. Stanford and Elijah Wesson will battle it out for playing
time to replace the departed safety Casey Evans and corner Eric Weddle.
The Bottom Line:
The secondary is a big concern and the Utes will not
be better without All-American cornerback Weddle. If the defense, which gave up
less than 20 points per game last year, can fill their holes, Utah will be a
force in the Mountain West. The running game cannot be any worse than it was
last year, but finding a little more offensive balance would be helpful. |
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