2008 Utah Football Predictions

Kyle Whittingham should put the best team he has had at Utah on the field this season. There's no reason why the Utes won't be in the hunt for a Mountain West Conference title until the final game of the regular season against BYU. Jimmy Boyd's 2008 Utah Utes predictions and season preview provide an inside look at the upcoming season.
 

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Offense

It seems like years now since Urban Meyer left for the swamp, but his prolific spread offense has lived on. Brian Johnson is the latest QB to man the Utah attack. He ranked fourth nationally in total offense in 2005 as a true sophomore when he tore his ACL in the 10th game of the season. He took a medical redshirt in 2006 and had an injury plagued 2007. He will not look to run as often to maintain his health and if he can do that, we should see him put up big numbers again. Corbin Louks was his legs last season. Utah brought him in rushing situations. Matt Asiata and Darrell Mack give the Utes two capable running backs. The line is set with All-MWC candidates in tackle Zane Beadles and guards Caleb Schlaunderaff and Robert Conley. Every good spread attack needs high-caliber receivers and Brent Casteel, Bradon Godfrey, and Aiona Key give the Utes just that.

Defense

Utah's defense was very solid in 2007, even outshining the offense during much of Utah's seven-game winning streak last year. Whittingham was Urban Meyer's defensive coordinator before he became the head man so he has been running the show on defense for a long time. Utah plays a tenacious defense with physical play up front and playmakers in the secondary. The Utes were one of the best teams in the nation at defending the pass a season ago, ranking 11th nationally in yards allowed and hauling in 17 interceptions. They are ranked fifth nationally in points allowed. Cornerback Brice McCain is the top cover corner with eight other defensive backs returning. While Utah has plenty of depth in the back, only three of the front seven return. We'll see what this unit is made of right away as it plays Michigan in Ann Arbor on August 30th.

Special Teams

Louie Sakoda was the MWC Special Teams Player of the Year. He handles both the punting and kicking duties and finished in the top five nationally in punting average and field goal percentage. It's nice to know you have a guy you can count on to finish off drives with a score and to pin opponents deep.

Prediction – 2nd Mountain West Conference

If injuries hadn't struck early last season, the Utes may have been 12-0 when they went to BYU for their season finale. Now, it appears that BYU is clearly the team to beat in the MWC, but the Utes will get a shot at revenge on November 22nd when the Cougars come to town. Another strong season is a definite – one in which the Utes should win 10 games.

Beat the college football odds from week one clear through the BCS championship game with Jimmy Boyd's expect college football picks. You'll want to try his award winning NFL picks on for size as well for the most profits each weekend.

July 25th, 2008