Ah. The beginning of a new season. There's nothing like it. Every team sees nothing but potential and possibilities of greatness. But within a week, those expectations and that momentum can change completely. Such is the life cycle for college football. A 16 week period, by which the rest of the year is measured against and anticipated for.
Well, allow myself to introduce . . . myself. I'm a Utah football fan. Have been since I was a young lad. My dad took me to Utah games when I lived in Colorado (against Air Force and Colorado State). I wasn't much of a football player myself, but I would completely polarize my elementary classes by arguing with any BYU fan. The difficult thing is, back then, Utah football hardly existed while BYU was on top of the world. But that didn't stop me from constantly using the phrase "BYU sucks" every chance I could.
I went to the University of Utah, obtaining two bachelor's degrees, and then went back to the U to obtain my Master's degree. I soaked up those free student tickets as long as I could, and loved every minute of the experience. During Coach Mac's day, while most of my fellow student body use the games as a socializing event to pick up on the opposite sex in the concession tunnels, I would watch the games hoping that Utah could become bowl eligible, knowing my dad would want to make a family trip of the bowl game.
The 2004 season was something that I had only dreamed about before. No Utah fan in their right and sober mind would have ever imagined Utah being the national media darling. Nobody could have guessed that they could have been the best team in the NCAA, killing all of their opponents en route to an undefeated season, being the first non-BCS team to go to a BCS bowl, getting College Game Day to come to Rice Eccles Stadium, having the #1 overall NFL draft pick, and the most coveted coach in college football who began a bidding war between Notre Dame and Florida. The Fiesta Bowl was an experience I'll never forget.
The past few years, my brother has played for the U, which has only made our family even more scary. My dear wife and other in-laws. I can't imagine how bored they would have to be when every discussion is centered around Utah football. Fortunately, my wife has turned into a fan, and enjoys going to the games almost as much as I do. Needless to say, our passion for Utah football is as high as its ever been. And I am very optimistic about the coming year. Here's why:
1. Brian Johnson is back. With all due respect to last year's QB - Brett Ratliff - it was painful to watch the inefficient play. Not being able to hit WRs in their routes, not being able to run with certainty, and not being able to trust his competitiveness. Ratliff wasn't bad, especially if you consider Utah QBs in their history. But BJ was special. Before he went out injured in 2005, he was #4 in total offense in the entire NCAA - and that was as an 18 year old, inexperienced kid. He is now bigger, faster, stronger, and wiser - having been a coach for a year. I think that BJ will start off where he left off.
2. A better running game. Last year, Utah did finish respectable with their total running yards. The problem was consistency. Their most reliable RB was their CB - Eric Weddle. That's not good. The other backs couldn't find holes, and couldn't maintain consistency.
This year, BJ's mobility combined with a new bruising back in Matt Asiata, along with a very talented Ray Stowers, I think the running game can get established when they need to. That will open up everything else.
3. The best WRs in the NCAA. There are 7 WRs that would get playing time in nearly every school in the NCAA. If BJ stays healthy, and can establish the running game, we're going to see a lot of games with 300 yards in the air. Even if you're not a Utah fan, this team will be fun to watch.
4. Special teams. Louie Sakoda is the best punter/kicker in the NCAA, in my opinion. He's so clutch - and he's only a junior. And, if we ever need it, the guy proved against BYU that he can run if we need him to.
5. Athletic Secondary. Brice McCain runs a 4.3 40. Sean Smith has a 7 foot wing span. These two corners will give QBs fits, and they have very solid safeties, with Steve Tate as the anchor in the backfield where he can command the D with solid leadership. I think the passing D will be better than last year (when the Utes had all-american Eric Weddle).
6. Coach Whit has evolved. He is letting the team lead, and he is not working them too hard. He seems to have found his own style, something Utah fans and players have been hoping for since he took over. He is coaching the DBs, and he is keeping football fun - but commanding accountability. I think he's going to come into his own this year. Anybody who says that he's on the hot seat is an idiot. He only has two bowl wins in his first two years. He's a proven recruiter. He just needs a MWC championship - and I'd give him five years before we get worried about not having hardware yet. I think Whittingham will be a long-term coach for the Utes, and will take the program to a level its never been over a long period of time.
The game against Oregon State will tell us alot about this team. Will the team and fans expectations be crushed, like they were in the UCLA debocle last year? Or will it give the fans and team more optimism and confidence for the remainder of a brutal schedule.
If Utah can have the type of year they're capable of (no more than 2 losses) with this schedule, they'll finish top 15.
Stay tuned for a break-down of where this team is really at . . .
