BP25- #23 Utah Utes

Well Kyle Willingham keeps chugging in the right direction and this could be the year he becomes the darling of the BCS. The schedule starts out with a trip to the Big House where no one ever upsets Michigan in a opener at home right? Well here comes part deux watch for the upset special and Brian Johnson gets put on the map, but more with him later in the breakdown. Utah's only other challenge comes in the finale for all the marbles on who where's cinderella's shoe when the host BYU at home and despite a second half collapse last year, revenge will be on the mind.



Offense- All aboard the BCS train: Brian Johnson has all the tools to lead this Utah team to a BCS game this year if he could just avoid the injury bug, but with 10 starts last year all signs point to a strong campaign. Joining him back from the infimary is Brent Casteel, who was injured most of last season and returning senior Brandon Godfrey. Darrell Mack returns to lead the Utes on the ground and I look for him to be the lynchpin that holds the whole offense together. A returning beefy 4 OL starters return to bring continuity to the run game and Johnson's blind side. This will be one of the most dynamic offense in the country.

NFL Bound- RB Mack, OG Robert Conley, WR Castell if healthy

Diff Makers: QB Johnson, OT Zane Beadles

Watch 4: WR Aiona Key, 6-4 target another weapon for Johnson in the red zone.

Defense- The secondary leads the defense this year with Bruce McCain (11 pbu's) and Robert Johsnon leading the defense and they will need it in there finale with BYU. Even with the strong secondary questions about in the front seven. Paul Kruger is the only standout, the sophomore was third on the team in sacks with 3.....3! So will need the islanders(Aaron Tonga, Isley Filiaga, Nai Fotu, Koa Misi...) to step up if BCS is part of the Haka Dance. They may want to call our Alma Mater for recruits(by the way Trinity is preseason #1 high school) But the glaring weakness is at the linebacker position in which Utah didn't even recruit one, only Stevenson Sylvester returns with any experience. If this team fails it will be at this postion.

NFL Bound- DE Kruger, CB McCain, FS Johnson

Diff Makers: CB Sean Smith

Watch 4: DT Isley Filiaga this former BYU Coug is now back from his mission and is on a mission of revenge. They really need someone to step on D.