Another Historic Season for the Utes on the Horizon?

As the summer slump begins, so do the minds of anxious college football fans. The upcoming season means a new team, a new season, a new set of leaders, a new possibility, and much more—the question of “how good will we be” comes forth.

The future looks bright for the Utah Utes, and by future I mean everything that happens from this minute forward. Coach Whittingham and the crew recently put together the best recruiting class the Utah football program has ever seen. Prior to this recruiting class, Utah was already stacked in the depth charts, but the addition of the 2009-2010 recruiting class will stuff those depth charts even more.

Utah’s future is different from the past due to the depth at each position—something that was strongly lacking in previous seasons. Five or six years ago if the Utes’ star player went down for the season with a torn ACL, everyone would have rummaged through everything looking for the panic button. Nai Fotu out for season? Wait, we have how many linebackers to fill the void? Exactly. Whittingham has done a great job at piecing together a football team that is deep and talented—something that will show in the next five years, at least.

Enough about the future of the Utah football program, let’s take a look at what our two-time BCS busters may do this season.

With a schedule that favors Utah—home games against Pitt, TCU, and BYU—the Utes have a chance to run the tables for a third time, one-upping Boise State on BCS-busted bowl wins. An undefeated season would include victories over Pitt, TCU, Notre Dame, and BYU—a good chunk to boost our rank throughout the season if the victories fall in line.

Would an undefeated season send Utah to a BCS bowl? Absolutely. Would an undefeated season send Utah to the national championship? It’s possible, but not very likely—even with a Boise loss. Unfortunately, Boise State will start out much higher ranked than Utah and still need things to fall into place in order for the Broncos to go to the national championship—Utah starting off ranked may help, but it would take a lot of cards, all falling in the right places.

Expect an explosive offensive season from the Utes. Jordan Wynn is improving, the run game is nasty, the receivers are more talented, and the offensive line is seasoned. The Utes should have no problem doing whatever they please when the ball is in their possession. With three stud running backs, the Utes will have all the energy needed to run the ball up and down the field—whether it be by powerful Matt Asiata or quick and tough Eddie Wide, don’t forget Shakerin will be in the mix too—like I said, the run game is nasty. The offensive line will open up holes for the backs to get up field, as well as give Wynn time to dissect opponents’ defenses through the air.

An offense that looks to excel could come at no better time. Although Utah never fails to have a stellar defense, Utah has to fill some big holes on the defensive side of the ball—which could give the Utah defense some struggle early on. We have depth—don’t fret now. While Whittingham figures out the defense situation and what works best, the offense will be able to relieve the pressure by lighting up the scoreboards.

By mid-season the Utes should be rolling on all cylinders, on both sides of the ball—which couldn’t be more perfectly in time for tough games against TCU, BYU, and a game on the road against Notre Dame.

If the Utes get past Pitt in the season opener, it gives the Utes nearly two months to figure out all the kinks before hosting TCU in Salt Lake City. With that much time to smooth things out, the Utes should play a good game against TCU—it will be tough to beat TCU if Utah isn’t fully prepared come Nov. 6.

I look at Pitt and TCU as the two roadblocks for Utah this season—it will be difficult to win either of these games, and doing so would lead the Utes to another historic season.

The trip to Notre Dame and the Holy War at Rice-Eccles Stadium are both impressive games for our strength of schedule, but I don’t believe for a second we are dropping a game to an inexperienced Notre Dame—nor do I believe BYU has a chance at beating us. I’m calling it now, Wyoming will beat BYU this year—call me crazy.

A trip to a BCS bowl or even the national championship should be on the minds of Ute fans and athletes as the season approaches—whether you want to believe it or not, Utah football is going to impress again.

Let’s all root for a Boise State loss in their season opener against Virginia Tech, and see what the season has in store for the Utah Utes. If Boise goes undefeated, Utah has no chance of passing them up for an at-large bid or an appearance in the national championship.

During the spring I asked a few players, along with Coach Whittingham, about where the team sits right now compared to the 2008-2009 season—they all shared the same answer—the Utes are right up there with the 2008-2009 season, and if they want it they can get it.