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2009 Utah Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

utah 63009 What a remarkable season it was for the Utah Utes football program in 2008, finishing a perfect 12-0 during the regular season and capping it all off with a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama. It’s highly unlikely that the Utes can run the table again, but do they remain the team to beat in the Mountain West Conference? Find out in this 2009 NCAA football betting preview. Utah is listed at +12,500 to win the 2009 BCS Championship.

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Offense – The Utah offense loses eight starters, including Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Brian Johnson, but the coaching staff is not losing any sleep. Head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Dave Schramm realize points won’t come as easy as they did at times last season, but they remain confident that this group can get the job done. You’ll see either Corbin Louks or juco transfer Terrance Cain under center this fall running a fast paced no-huddle scheme. Louks has to be the early favorite as he is more familiar with the offense and has already been successful in running some of Whittingham’s specialty packages the past two seasons. The running game looks solid once again with senior tailback Matt Asiata. He gained 707 yards and scored 12 touchdowns in a part time role last season. The offensive line should be pretty good once again as it returns three of five starters. Utah ranked 15th in the land in scoring offense a season ago, putting up 36.9 points per game. There will likely be a slight drop off, but I expect Utah’s no-huddle approach to still best the 30 points per game mark this season.

Defense – The Utah defense was sensational in 2008, ranking 12th nationally in points allowed (17.2) and 11th in yards allowed (289.2). This unit could be even better in 2009, and that’s scary considering that TCU and Alabama both were only able to manage one offensive touchdown in last year’s showdowns. The Utes lost cornerback Sean Smith and defensive end Paul Kruger to the NFL, but Whittingham remains confident. He feels Koa Misi and Derrick Shelby will make up the best defensive end duo in the league. And returning starters Stevenson Sylvester and Mike Wright (81 tackles last season) lead an exceptional linebacker unit. The Utes must replace both starting cornerbacks, but with 4.3/40 guys R.J. Stanford and Brandon Burton ready to step in the team should still be solid across the back, especially with hard hitting safeties Robert Johnson and Joe Dale returning.

Prediction: 1st Mountain West Conference – The league title could once again be decided by another November showdown with TCU. But with more players coming back than the Horned Frogs and with a talented crop coming in, I expect the Utes to take home another MWC crown. Our readers are eligible for a special $500 match bonus at BetUS!

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