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Utah Football: 5 takeaways from successful 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 26: Zack Moss #2 and Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes celebrate after a touchdown in the second half at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. Utah won 41-10. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 26: Zack Moss #2 and Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes celebrate after a touchdown in the second half at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. Utah won 41-10. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Cody Barton #30 of the Utah Utes reacts turnover a tackle against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Cody Barton #30 of the Utah Utes reacts turnover a tackle against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3. Defense was severely underrated nationally

The Pac-12 isn’t exactly known for defense. Maybe that’s why no one talked about the Utah Utes as a defensive power in 2018 — but then again, many have acknowledged that Washington is a defensive juggernaut and has been for years.

The Utes finished second in the Pac-12 in total defense in 2018, allowing just 315 yards per game. The secondary finished No. 53 in the country in passing yards allowed while the run defense picked up the slack, finishing fifth in college football with just 100 yards per game allowed on the ground.

Kyle Whittingham has an impressive defense under his control and he needs to make sure it performs just as well next season with Tyler Huntley, Britain Covey and Zack Moss back on offense. As long as the offense steps up even minimally and the defense remains the same, the Utes will be back in that Pac-12 title game.

Utah had one of the most underrated defenses in the country last season and it has guys like Cody Barton and Chase Hansen who each topped 100 tackles as well as guys like Bradlee Anae, Corrion Ballard, Julian Blackmon and Jaylon Johnson.

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