Utah Football: 3 reasons Jake Bentley can take Utes to 2020 playoff

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 31: Tomon Fox #12 of the North Carolina Tar Heels watches as Jake Bentley #19 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after his team scores a touchdown against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Belk College Kickoff game at Bank of America Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

3. One of Pac-12’s most experienced quarterbacks

It’s crazy to think that Jake Bentley will be one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the Pac-12 next season, but it’s true.

Bentley began his career as a starter in 2016 and threw for 1,400-plus yards as a freshman. He then followed that up with 2,794 yards as a sophomore and 3,171 as a junior. He got hurt as a senior and gave way to other younger guys, so his numbers obviously weren’t anything to write home about. He played in just one game and struggled versus North Carolina.

But what he brings to the table for the Utes that not many other Pac-12 teams will have is experience as well as numbers to back it up. It’s not like he was playing a lot and struggling, he was putting up solid numbers while starting for an SEC team.

Think about it, the Pac-12 loses Tyler Huntley, Justin Herbert and Jacob Eason has struggled, so that means Bentley might just be the most experienced quarterback on a contending team.

Kedon Slovis and Jayden Daniels may be the future of the Pac-12, but they’ll only be sophomores and there’s no telling if USC or Arizona State will contend next season.

Home/Utah Utes