2014-15 Football Previews – (Pac-12) – Utes
The Utah Utes are in a unique position entering the 2014 college football season. They should be improved following their second year in the Pac-12, but they’re still a ways away from competing for a title in one of the toughest conferences in the country.
Utah
Pac-12 Conference 2014-15 College Football Previews:
Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham
2013 Record: 5-7
Utah Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship: 150/1
Utah Gambling Odds to win Pac-12 South Division: 33/1
Utah Gambling Odds to win Pac-12 Conference: 66/1
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If Utah can improve upon its 5-7 record from last season, it will be considered a successful campaign. However, the more important note is what they do in conference competition. They team had just two Pac-12 victories in 2013, and that number simply won’t cut it moving forward.
Team Strengths:
One of the big reasons this team fell off the map after its surprising win over the Stanford Cardinal last season was the health of quarterback Travis Wilson. He spent much of the second half of the year at less than 100 percent, and he was ultimately benched for the final three contests of the year for health purposes.
This season, the hope is that the man behind center can stay healthy, as he’s the cornerstone of this offense. However, the team has another capable quarterback who will be competing for a starting gig in Kendal Thompson. Whoever wins the job will be under a microscope, but success should be on the horizon either way.
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Also on offense, this team will face a variable, but one that should pay dividends. The Utes have brought in a new offensive coordinator, Dave Christensen, who will institute a fast-paced system.
Team Weaknesses:
While quarterback has the potential to be a huge strength on this roster, the level of uncertainty surrounding the position throws it into the opposite category as well: weaknesses. If no one quarterback establishes himself—or just as bad, if Wilson endures another head injury and no one steps up—this offense will lack a true leader.
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Also on offense, the wide receiving core has question marks as well. Kenneth Scott will likely be the go-to guy for whoever is tossing the pigskin, but finding a balance will help make life easier on the running game, keeping defenses from getting comfortable in rush-stopping sets.
Defensively, this group should be solid, but it will miss the presence of Trevor Reilly. The linebacking core will have to make up the difference, but if it can do just that, it should turn a concern into a strength early in the year.
2014-15 Utah Gambling Prediction: 4-8
The Utes could very well be improved in 2014, but their schedule doesn’t help their case for a better record. Along with non-conference opponents Fresno State and Michigan on the docket, the team has a six-week stretch in which it sees UCLA and Oregon State on the road, USC at home, Arizona State on the road, Oregon at home and Stanford on the road.
This is a team that won just two conference games last season, and while adding one to that total shouldn’t be too tough, asking for a fourth seems unlikely at this time.
2014 Utah Schedule
- Thu, Aug 28 vs Idaho State
- Sat, Sept 6 vs Fresno State
- Sat, Sept 20 @ Michigan
- Sat, Sept 27 vs Washington St
- Sat, Oct 4 @ UCLA
- Thu, Oct 16 @ Oregon State
- Sat, Oct 25 vs USC
- Sat, Nov 1 @ Arizona State
- Sat, Nov 8 vs Oregon
- Sat, Nov 15 @ Stanford
- Sat, Nov 22 vs Arizona
- Sat, Nov 29 @ Colorado
