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Can Utah Utes Prove They’re More than a Mid-Major?

By Caleb Calhoun

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Offense

Travis Wilson is back as the starting quarterback for Utah. The junior missed the last three games due to injury, but his numbers before he got hurt show that he has a lot of improvement to make before he can be considered a reliable option. Throwing for 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions along with only 1,827 total yards and completing only 56 percent of your passes is very mediocre, especially when you’re in a conference going up against quarterbacks who load up the stats sheet every game. Wilson is a bit of a different breed as a running threat too, but he’s got to be more efficient throwing the ball. And he has to stay healthy.

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    • Junior Bubba Poole is back as the starter at running back, and although he is a solid option, he’s not going to do anything to wow anybody. Kelvin York’s departure is a loss at the position, making Wilson even more needed in the running game this year. Redshirt freshmen Dre’Vian Young and Troy McCormick both will be useful at the position, and don’t be surprised if one of them is called on as a starter. This unit should be better than last year, but it still won’t be great.

    The wide receiver position is probably the most exciting part of the offense with the return of senior 1,000-yard receiver Dres Anderson. With Wilson fully healthy, he should be able to build off last year and put up even bigger numbers, especially if Wilson has actually improved. Add the return of junior Kenneth Scott, who suffered a season-ending injury last year, and you have a pretty solid first-team that is better and more experienced than last year. Junior Geoffrey Norwood, sophomore Dominique Hatfield, and senior Andre Lewis could all be in the rotation as well, with Norwood providing a nice slot option and Hatfield impressing coaches a lot so far. The tight end position takes a hit here with the loss of Jake Murphy, but sophomore Siale Fakailoatonga and senior Westlee Tonga both have the abilities to fill that position fine. Overall, the unit should be much better than last year with a good amount of depth and a set group of guys to be the main players.

    Nov 9, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Travis Wilson (7) throws the ball down the field in the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

    The offensive line returns a lot of talent as well, with only center Vycent Jones and guard Jeremiah Tofaeono gone. Junior Jeremiah Poutasi is the best and most experienced player of the group with 22 career starts and standing at 6’6″ 320 pounds, and senior Junior Salt has a ton of talent as well along with 12 games of starting experience standing at 6’2″ 315 pounds. Both will be the anchors and stars of the line, and junior center Siaosi Aiono returns with plenty of experience as well, standing at 6’2″ 305 pounds. Sophomore Isaac Asiata will start after showing his talents by playing a lot as a freshman at 6’4″ 310 pounds, and he rounds out the talent and experience on the line. The rest of the unit, including some guys who will be in the rotation, is inexperienced and raw but talented. Senior Andrew Albers has plenty of abilities to fill a tackle position and will likely be the final starter at 6’7″ 310 pounds. Senior Marc Pouvave, juniors Derek Tuimauga and Kala Friel, and sophomores Hiva Lutui and J.J. Dielman all provide depth and make for a loaded offensive line. Add three freshmen, including 4-star linemen Jackson Barton, despite his likelihood of redshirting, and this group should be much better than last year with more depth and experience.

    The offense as a whole should get better at every position provided there are no serious injuries, but at least the line is pretty deep. Utah was able to average 29 points per game last year, but in a loaded Pac 12, it will have to improve because of how great the offenses are. Still, this is a very experienced unit, and it also has a bright future with so many sophomores and juniors starting. Next year’s offense right now looks to be even better. Continue to Next Slide for Defense

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