Utah Football: Will Utes live up to lofty preseason 2019 hype?

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Javelin K. Guidry #28 and Leki Fotu #99 of the Utah Utes celebrate after Guidry intercepted a pass against the Washington Huskies during the Pac 12 Championship game at Levi's Stadium on November 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

1 of 4

Utah football has become a popular preseason sleeper for many in the college football world. Can the Utes live up to the hype?

Utah enters 2018 as the defending Pac-12 South champion, but when it comes to hype, they’ve been a late bloomer this offseason. Of course, that isn’t atypical of Kyle Wittingham teams. In his time in Salt Lake City, the head coach has compiled a 120-61 record, and he even has a postseason win over Alabama under his belt.

Despite his success, the Utes have a tendency of flying under the radar. That was the case again for most of the offseason, but as play inches closer and closer, many are starting to recognize just how could Utah could be.

This team won nine games a year ago, with their biggest coming on the road at Stanford in a nearly 20-point victory, along with a November win over Oregon.

Utah should to build upon that in 2019. They lost several key players to injury last season, but if healthy, this veteran team could be poised for a return to the Pac-12 title game.

Home/Utah Utes