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The 2008 College Football season is upon us. Easily the most intriguing local game to open up the season has to be the Utah Utes traveling to the "Big House" to take on the storied Michigan Wolverines. The last time the Utes were at Michigan was in 2002 where the Utes lost 10-7. This year's game is projected to be different and if the Utes win they could be off and running to what could be a great season.
Kyle Whittingham is going into his fourth season as Head Coach of the Utes. He was the defensive coordinator the last time the Utes faced the Wolverines. Utah is 6-8 all-time versus the Big Ten, but with Whittingham as the Head Coach the Utes are 4-3 against BCS schools.
The story of this year's Utes has to be whether they can stay healthy. In the 2007 opener the Utes lost Jason Boone to season-ending injury in fall camp, but he was only the first to go down. Other major injuries included losing Matt Asiata in the first quarter of the first game to a broken leg and then quarterback Brian Johnson went down with a separated shoulder late in the first half. Brent Casteel was also lost to a season ending knee injury versus Air Force.
Other than Boone, who graduated Asiata, Johnson, and Casteel are back and are healthy. Brian Johnson has looked solid in fall camp showing no ill effects from last years shoulder injury. Casteel has also looked good in camp running all the routes and making all the cuts he needs to. Matt Asiata has also looked good in camp, however an ankle sprain mid-camp slowed him a little, but he should be ready to go.
The offense has been a bright spot in camp and in scrimmages. Brian Johnson has thrown the ball well and the running game should be very good as well. The Utes return Darrell Mack who had over 1200 yards rushing and 12 TD's. He also had three receiving TD's. Mack and Asiata will shoulder most of the load in the backfield, but the real story might be the wide receivers. Two breakout players to keep an eye on are Brent Casteel and JC transfer David Reed.
When healthy Casteel can score from anywhere on the field and Reed, who Coach Kyle Whittingham has raved about, on the field at the same time could create quite an offensive artillery. Brian Johnson should have plenty of time to throw with four of five offensive linemen returning from last year. Also on the offensive line, which most teams in this conference don't have, is depth.
While there are a couple question marks on the Utes defense, coach Whittingham has used the word "speed" to define his defense. The Utes are still solidifying the defensive line and the linebacker core is young, but they are quick. The secondary returns all-conference safety Robert Johnson, who had 44 tackles and forced five turnovers. Brice McCain is starting for the third year in a row. Sean Smith is back as well. He had four interceptions last season and he is looking to improving on that. R.J. Stanford will also play in the nickel, and Poinsettia Bowl MVP Joe Dale will start at strong safety this year.
Another bright spot on the Utes football team is a familiar name, Louie Sakoda. The All-American Punter/Kicker is back for his senior year.
The Utes are looking to improve upon the second best bowl streak in the nation at seven. Boston College's winning streak is at eight. Utah is 10-3 all-time in bowl games and has a 77 percent winning percentage, which is the best in the nation among teams that have played in more than 10 bowl games.
The greatest of all scenarios would be if the Utes take care of business at the "Big House," run the table the rest of the way and the Cougars also go undefeated into the November 22 game up on the hill. If that is the case, the winner could be the next one to bust into the BCS!
