2013 Outlook - Utah

After making the jump to the Pac 12 last year, Utah sported an 8-5 record.  That, along with having a presumptive top ten pick in next years draft, has some people calling for the Utes to challenge for the Pac 12 crown.  To me, this team has some talent, but lacks depth in some key areas which I think could come back to hurt them.



At QB, the Utes plan to start JR, Jordan Wynn.  Wynn has shown some promise, providing a spark to this offense in the past, but the guy spend more time in the trainer's room than in the huddle.  HC Kyle Whittingham seems jazzed up about some of the dept he has at the position, but there is just not a lot of experience there.  I see this as a real weakness for this program.  Their brightest side offensively is their backfield though, led by SR RB John White.  White was mega-productive last season, and I expect them to have to lean just as heavily on him again this year.  Another 1300-1500 yards is not out of the question.  The receiving corp has experience, but they lack the true play maker they need to help make a difference.  DeVonte Christopher is probably their most talented WR, but even he is not what would be considered to be a "dangerous" weapon.  The boys up front also boast a lot of seniority.  This year the team has added some mass though, bringing in a combine 721 lbs to become their starting tackles.  The addition of this size should help the front hold up against the defenses of the Pac 12.

Defensively, the story for the Utes is their potential early first rounder, SR DT Star Lotulelei.  He is massive in the middle of this defensive front, and he is a very good ball player too.  He will anchor what should be a real solid d-line, which includes an intriguing prospect, SO DE Sione Tupouata, who I think could develop into a special player too.  The linebackers are not nearly as talented as the front though, and they are also a lot younger.  I think this unit is the defense's biggest question mark heading into 2013.  JR OLB Trevor Reilly is a nice player, but he will really be forced to step it up this year for this team to excel.  The secondary features two good safeties, JR Brian Belchen and SO Eric Rowe.  Both guys tackle well, and cover the field well too, but both need to improve their ball skills a bit.

At the end of the day, Utah is a good team, with some star pieces they can lean on.  But the Utes play now in the Pac 12, and it will be significantly harder to win each week without the depth.  Maybe some of the guys will step up their play and surprise me though.