SALT LAKE CITY — It’s almost here. The long, anticipated start of the 2016 college football season is right around the corner. With fall camp coming to a close, questions remain for Kyle Whittingham’s squad, and that means it’s time to take a deep look into our 99-cent discount store crystal ball and project how exactly 2016 will go for the Utes.

Best case, worst case and realistic scenarios. The best-case scenario will be fantastic, but the worst-case scenario will be ugly.

vs. Southern Utah

Utah fans get their first look at starting QB Troy Williams Sept. 1, and he doesn’t disappoint. Williams throws for 223 yards on 17-of-20 passing and five total touchdowns, in just 2 ½ quarters. The defense holds SUU inside its own half of the field for three quarters before the third-stringers allow a late field goal.

Final score: Utah 66, SUU 3 | Record: 1-0

vs. BYU

The Holy War. Whittingham’s pregame speech can be heard outside of the locker room on Sept. “We do not lose to those guys! Ever!” His team takes that to heart, and after an early interception is thrown by Taysom Hill, the floodgates open to the tune of seven Utah sacks, four BYU turnovers and four more TD passes by Williams. The following week, the Big 12 announces invites for Cincinnati and Houston.

Final score: Utah 38, BYU 13 | Record: 2-0

at San Jose State

Now ranked No. 23 in the AP Poll, the Utes take care of business against San Jose State, and Williams racks up 233 yards and three TDs. Multiple Utah fans tweet, “Devontae who?”

Final Score: Utah 48, SJSU 10 | Record: 3-0

vs. USC

After an upset of Alabama in Week 1 and Stanford in Week 3, undefeated, and ranked No. 14, USC comes to Salt Lake City to face No. 21 Utah. The Utes have revenge on their mind after USC spoiled their perfect season last year. After a fast start and 14-0 lead, thanks to a pair of Williams TD passes, USC surges back to a 28-27 lead with less than minutes left in the game. Utah isn’t fazed though, and after a 35-yard pass to Kyle Fulks pulls Utah into field-goal range, Andy Phillips hits home the game-winner from 37 yards out.

Final Score: Utah 30, USC 28 | Record: 4-0

at California

A pregame graphic shows Williams among Heisman Trophy candidates with 1,100 passing yards and 15 TDs, but as the Utes stroll into Cal Berkeley fresh off a big win, it seems the offense forgot to get off the plane. Cal jumps out to 24-7 lead at the half, but after a menacing half time speech from Whittingham, the Utah defense picks off Cal QB Davis Webb three times in the second half, returning two for TDs. The offense does just enough take back the lead, and Utah escapes. “Not good enough,” says Whittingham after the game.

Final Score: Utah 34, Cal 31 | Record: 5-0

vs. Arizona

A tough week of practice gets the Utes’ refocused, and they stomp the Arizona Wildcats at home, finally getting a win against Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez’s face turns deep red in frustration, from watching Kylie Fitts register multiple strip-sacks.

Final Score: Utah 37, Arizona 17 | Record: 6-0

at Oregon State

Now ranked No. 9, Utah strolls into Corvallis, Oregon, unfazed by Gary Andersen’s Beavers. Williams further cements himself as a Heisman candidate with five total TDs, and the Utes annihilate Oregon State.

Final Score: Utah 41, Oregon State 14 | Record: 7-0

at UCLA

“Welcome to sunny Pasadena,” can be heard on "College Gameday," as the Utes travel to No. 14 UCLA. Two Heisman hopefuls in Josh Rosen and Williams going against each other. Back and forth the Utes and Bruins go all game, until a game-sealing interception by Dominique Hatfield in the final minutes puts the Utes on top.

Final Score: Utah 27, UCLA 21 | Record: 8-0

vs. Washington

Utah debuts at No. 5 in the first CFB Playoff poll and await the Washington Huskies at home. Having already lost three games, Utah fans are confident about a win over Washington, but the Huskies are hungry. Going against his former team, Williams struggles. He throws three INTs, and the offense just can’t get it going. Washington QB Jake Browning hits a long ball with a minute left to take the lead, and Utah can’t answer, suffering their first loss.

Final Score: Washington 24, Utah 17 | Record: 8-1

at Arizona State

Despite the loss, the Utes are in a good spot for Pac-12 South title and take out their frustrations on the lowly Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona, with Williams getting back to his old ways with four TDs.

Final Score: Utah 34, ASU 21 | Record: 9-1

vs. Oregon

The Ducks come to town the following week, and Utah needs a win to clinch the South. Rice-Eccles Stadium is electric, and the Utes fight out a close victory, as the defense forces three turnovers and six sacks.

Final Score: Utah 40, Oregon 34 | Record: 10-1

at Colorado

With a Pac-12 South title clinched, the Utes play relaxed in Boulder, Colorado, and paste their “rivals” to the east, with the backups getting some vital playing time late in the game.

Final Score: Utah 42, Colorado 14 | Record: 11-1

Pac-12 Championship Game

With the regular season over, Utah now faces No. 6 Stanford (11-1) in the Pac-12 title game. It’s widely believed that the winner will jump into the CFB Playoff, so stakes are high. It’s a true slugfest between the Utes and Cardinal, as well as low scoring. Utah takes a three-point lead with 40 seconds left on a TD pass to Tyrone Smith, but Heisman favorite Christian McCaffrey has ideas of his own. Phillips squibs the ball down the field, but too far, and McCaffrey winds up with the ball. He weaves his way around the field, and takes it all the way for a touchdown, clinching a third straight Pac-12 title for Stanford.

Final Score: Stanford 17, Utah 13 | Record: 11-2

Rose Bowl

On the heels of Williams finishing sixth in the Heisman voting, Utah is selected for the Rose Bowl against Michigan State. Feeling like he has something to prove, Williams comes out on fire against the Spartans, and leads Utah to a dominant bowl game win, in which he wins MVP honors with 332 passing yards and three TDs.

Final Score: Utah 31, Michigan State 14 | Final Record: 12-2

Following the season, Troy Williams, Marcus Williams and Lowell Lotulelei announce they’ll return for their senior seasons. Utah signs its best recruiting class, No. 21 in the country, in February, Coach Whitt receives yet another extension, and Chris Hill announces stadium expansion is set to begin immediately.

All is well in Utes’ land.

Related topics