Rasko's College Football Preview - University of Utah

I do not have the time or means to give a position by position or game by game breakdown of Utah football, version 2012. So, the following are a scramble of thoughts penned in stream of consciousness fashion.



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Utah’s final record will look a lot like last year. Bill Riley, voice of the Utes, put the over/under for wins at 8.5. A perfect number in my opinion. After all, they finished with 8 wins last year (including the Sun Bowl victory). Take away the unexpected loss at home to Colorado the day after Thanksgiving, and I suspect Utah would have finished with 9 victories (following a loss in the Pac-12 championship game and a bowl victory).

The question I asked myself as fall camp reared its head earlier this month was “what has changed?” On the surface I see a team with a solid foundation, with uncertainty at Quarterback, high expectations on defense, and new coordinators. In 2011, the cursory review of the team would have been very similar save for one important distinction: uncertainty at the running-back position. John White IV had an amazing year last year on so many levels. He broke school records for rushing yards, he approached 40 carries in a game more than once, and most impressively, he was durable. Save for his injury against Colorado, John White IV was available for duty. What does White IV have planned for an encore?

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When a player comes out of nowhere and performs Festivus-like feats of strength, I am hard pressed to put my money on a repeat performance. John White IV is a known quantity now. Defenses will be ready for him. Also, something that cannot be overstated is the loss to Tony Bergstrom and John Cullen along the offensive line. Great players can rise above these hurdles, something of which I feel John White is capable. That being said, the use and abuse of John White IV last year was the result of desperation. Luckily for Utah, the desperation bred greatness. With what is reportedly more RB depth, Utah is not planning on using John White IV as much. If John White IV can stay healthy, he will produce, just not as much as in 2011.

Jordan Wynn continues to be the most interesting man of fall camp. In 2009, it was his unbelievable weight gain. In 2010, it was talk of his returning from a fine freshman year finish and the opportunity to establish himself amongst the Utah QB greats. In 2011, there were the concerns surrounding his surgically-repaired shoulder and in response the coaching staff limited his throws in camp. In 2012, <see 2011>. That a bionic Jordan Wynn is still the best option for Utah at QB reflects somewhat negatively on the coaching staff recruitment of the position. Jon Hays, a player who had the Division II football program for which he was planning to play disband unexpectedly, was the starter for most of Utah’s inaugural season in the Pac12.  Clearly, Utah was unprepared at QB going into the Pac12. The feeling is that things are different this year. However, save for Travis Wilson (who will redshirt), the faces are the same. Jordan Wynn will start under center against Northern Colorado, but I suspect that Jon Hays will also get the opportunity to continue his Pac12 experience.

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With Brian Johnson, Utah has the youngest offensive coordinator in college football. I anticipate growing pains as Johnson adjusts to a more important role in the teams' performance. How will Brain Johnson's coming out party go? For a surprisingly relevant comparison, look south to Brandon Doman's experience at BYU as a first year offensive coordinator. A part of me wonders how much autonomy Johnson will be given. Clearly, Kyle Whittingham and the University think very highly of Brian Johnson and the skills that he brings to the table, otherwise they would not have invested so much money into his contract or given him such a high profile job. However, Whittingham runs a tight ship and I suspect that his voice will be heard, and his edicts followed, in offensive matters. While with health the passing game will improve thereby enhancing overall production, expect similar points-per-game as 2011.

Here is my quick, cold, uncalculated game-by-game predictions for the University of Utah football team:

2012-2013 SCHEDULE

	Opponent / Event		Time / Result
	vs. Northern Colorado		Win
	at Utah State		Win
	vs. Brigham Young		Win
	at Arizona State		Win
	vs. USC		Loss
	at UCLA		Win
	at Oregon State		Loss
	vs. California		Win
	vs. Washington State		Loss
	at Washington		Loss
	vs. Arizona		Win
	at Colorado		Win

8-4 is a solid sophomore season in the Pac12 for Utah and guarantees a solid bowl matchup. The one game I would like to comment on is the Washington State game, at home. Utah escaped Pullman with a win in OT in the snow last year. Wazzu was able to move the ball at will against the Utah defense, especially late in the contest. Though the scheme has changed with Mike Leach and his "surrender the booty" style, I can see the Wazzu game being an unexpected loss at home for Utah. 

Other predictions:

1. Jon Hays sees significant time under center for Utah.
2. John White does not break 1000 yards rushing.
3. Star Lotulelei lives up to his billing and dominates on the defensive line.
4. The coaching staff decides to not waste Travis Wilson's redshirt year.

The most discouraging thing about this blog is that BYU has only been mentioned once. Trust me, the rivalry game is still important. In the future, when fans are spending $300+ on season tickets and two of the six home games are against teams akin to Northern Colorado, the importance of the rivalry will come more to the forefront. As for this year, Utah over BYU, 30-21.