| The Utah Utes ran their all time bowl record to | | | | return four starters. |
| 12-3 after they defeated Cal in the Poinsettia | | | | The defensive side of the ball actually put up very |
| Bowl to cap off a 10-3 season. Kyle Whittingham | | | | good numbers in 2009 allowing just 176 yards |
| has a constructed a winning tradition at Utah and | | | | passing/game and a little over 20 points per |
| no program gets more out of junior college | | | | contest. A lot of talent was lost to graduation, |
| transfers than the Utes. Fans have grown | | | | however, and the uncertainty on defense could |
| accustom to 10 win seasons and always coming | | | | prevent the Utes from winning the Mountain |
| out on top in their bowl appearances. Look for | | | | West. The defensive line is the strength of this |
| Utah to battle TCU for the Mountain West title | | | | unit with NT Sealver Siliga plugging the middle. He |
| this season. Odds of Utah winning the MWC are | | | | recorded 49 tackles impressively and 5.5 of them |
| +150. View the full conference breakdown in our | | | | were behind the line of scrimmage. Derrick Shelby |
| 2010 Mountain West college football predictions | | | | is still rehabbing a torn acl and is a very |
| article. | | | | productive pass rusher from his defensive end |
| The Utah offense will be one of the best in the | | | | position. It is anyone's guess who will lead the |
| Mountain West this season. QB Jordan Wynn | | | | linebackers. VJ Fehoko has the most upside, but |
| cemented his status as the starter coming into | | | | has yet to do anything noteworthy on the field. JJ |
| the season with a 338 yard three touchdown | | | | Williams collected 20 tackles as a sophomore while |
| performance in the bowl game. Whittingham sat | | | | playing along side a veteran group of players. The |
| Terrance Cain with five games remaining in favor | | | | secondary is locked down by corner Brandon |
| of Wynn, but Cain provides experience and depth | | | | Burton. His 10 pass deflections led the team, but |
| at the quarterback position. The Utes scored | | | | his interceptions need to come up as he had just |
| seven more points per game with Wynn under | | | | one a year ago. The Utes look to be very solid in |
| center. Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata will form a | | | | special teams once again. K Joe Phillips was a semi |
| thunder/lightning backfield. Both are accomplished | | | | finalist for the Lou Groza Award last season, but |
| backs, but Wide finally got his shot when Asiata | | | | did not connect on a field goal over 44 yards. WR |
| suffered a season ending injury in the fourth | | | | Shaky Smithson handled both kickoff and punt |
| game last year. He ran for over 1000 yards and | | | | returns effectively at times. |
| scored a team high 12 touchdowns. Asiata was | | | | Non conference games with Pitt, Iowa State and |
| the starter before his injury and received a sixth | | | | Notre Dame put Utah in the BCS bowl picture if |
| year of eligibility. The bruising back punishes | | | | they can win at least two of those and play well |
| opposing defenses and should split carries equally | | | | in conference. The Utes are 16-5 in home openers |
| with the electric Wide. Jereme Brooks is without a | | | | so Pitt will have their hands full on September 2nd. |
| doubt the #1 wide receiver this season after a | | | | Their schedule is a little quirky with three |
| so-so transition from the junior college ranks. | | | | conference games after the opener and then a |
| David Reed was a 5th round draft pick of the | | | | road trip to Ames, IA. The conference title will |
| Baltimore Ravens after catching 81 passes last | | | | likely be decided on November 6th when TCU |
| season. Sophomores Luke Matthews and | | | | comes to town. Most of their difficult games are |
| DeVonte Christopher should see their roles | | | | on home turf which is nice. I really like the setup |
| increase in 10'. The offensive line has to replace | | | | of this team and believe they win at least 10 |
| 1st team All American LT Zane Beadles, but do | | | | games for the third straight season. |
