Overview

Cameron Rising returns along with running backs Tavion Thomas and Micah Bernard, bolstering a ground attack that should once again be at the top of the Pac-12.

Tight ends Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid are back, too, along with wide receiver Devaughn Vele. The Utes have also added JUCO WR wide receiver Ti’Quan Gilmore.

With so many weapons on offense, it’s safe to say Utah won’t miss a beat on that side of the ball.

But scratch beneath the surface and some worrying cracks on defense begin to show.

Fortunately, corner Clark Phillips III is a preseason Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year candidate and the capstone of Utah’s defense.

The All-Conference defensive back is boosted by an elite defensive line, anchored by Junior Tafuna and Van Fillinger, that help put Kyle Whittingham’s team in a position to make a run at the Playoff.

Best-Case Scenario

The momentum continues with a close victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl, followed by a dominating victory over USC at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Utes enter the mid-November matchup at Oregon as a Top 2 team and the Conference’s best shot to make the Playoff.

Regardless of the outcome in Eugene, Whittingham’s squad returns to the Pac-12 Championship game for the fourth time in five seasons, carried by elite line play on both sides of the ball.

A victory in Las Vegas results in the Conference of Champions’ first invitation to the Playoff since 2016, as Utah cements its image as the face of the league.

Worst Case Scenario

The result is a team that gives up touchdowns in pivotal moments, losing close games that the Utes should’ve been able to win.

The run defense is particularly affected by the issues at linebacker, giving up third-down conversions at a sickening rate.

The combination of issues on the second and third levels lead to defeats against the Bruins, Trojans, and Ducks in conference play.

What Should Happen

Rising’s threat to run was the most under-rated X-Factor in Utah’s resurgence after starting the 2021 season 1-2.

Questionably passed over in the Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year Award, his mobility changes the game.

The practical result is open lanes for Utah’s running backs and space for its receivers and tight ends.

It worked like magic last season, and nearly all of his weapons return with him.

At the end of the season, Utah should be back in the Pac-12 Championship Game and emerge with a second-straight victory in Vegas.

What Must Happen

The loss of Britain Covey in the return game promises to bite, but the punting and kicking problems must be addressed.

Whittingham’s team gave up two kickoff returns for touchdowns and had two punts blocked that were returned for TDs in 2021.

But fixing the special teams problem could be meaningless if Utah’s inexperienced linebacker corps fail to meet expectations.

Greatest Strength

Yet, it’s Utah’s offensive line that carries the day. Often overlooked in the grand scheme of it all, the front line is the key.

Braeden Daniels and Sataoa Laumea are the anchors of the unit, but Whittingham boosts 15 listed OL on the Spring Roster, with 12 checking in at over 300-pounds.

The strength along the line proved to be the difference against Oregon last season and should continue to distinguish Utah as the class of the Conference.

Biggest Concern

Sewell and Lloyd played nearly every snap last year, keeping young guns such as Calvert off the field.

The dearth of experience was such a problem that Whittingham had to go to the portal instead of promoting talent from within, a somewhat unusual move for a program known for its development.

But the situation was arguably desperate, and Diabate might turn out to be the most impactful transfer in the Pac-12.

Still, additional options must emerge if Utah is going to repeat as champions. Calvert and Barton are the program’s third and fifth-highest-rated recruits and must live up to their rankings.

Deciding Factors

The contribution he brings to the table is pivotal and any injuries to the leader of the offense could be difficult to overcome.

Ja’Quinden Jackson probably ends up as the second-string, although true freshman Brandon Rose received praise from offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig during Spring Camp.

Getting reps for the backups could prove difficult, however, with a nonconference slate of Florida and San Diego State.

The only obvious option for gaining experience is the Southern Utah game in Week Two.

The apparent lack of depth at QB is arguably the only flaw in Utah’s entire offense. Still, how many teams in the country would struggle if their QB No. 1 went down?

Normally, Pac-12 schools have to go undefeated or have a respectable one-loss season to get in.

That probably won’t be any different this year, and Utah’s slate of Florida and San Diego State could set them above whichever one-loss team comes out of the Big 12 or ACC.

In conference play, the road game at UCLA figures to be the first real test of the season and it’s immediately followed by a home matchup against USC.

That two-week stretch could define the season, with the remaining questionable game coming at Oregon in mid-November.

Other than those three contests, Utah should roll to a minimum of six wins in conference play.

At worst, the Utes go 2-1 in nonconference with the “L” coming to Florida, and finish the regular season 8-4.

At best, Whittingham’s team strings together an 11-1 regular season, with a victory in the Pac-12 Championship game that’s rewarded with a Playoff invitation.