This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

One of the most difficult questions posed to Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn at the end of fall camp was what concerns of his had been addressed during the two weeks.

He couldn't answer it because he didn't have any concerns, he said.

"Camp reaffirmed my confidence in the team," he said.

Wynn's optimistic outlook, with perhaps a tinge of cockiness, is indicative of the team's overall hopes for 2010.

The Utes were almost insulted they were picked to finish "just" second in the Mountain West Conference behind TCU. For a team with two BCS wins and a spot in the Pac-10 next season, the Utes think higher of themselves than the voters.

"It's a motivator for us," cornerback Brandon Burton said. "I'm not going to lie about that."

Last year, remember, was supposedly the rebuilding year, but all the Utes did was go 10-3 and win their ninth bowl game in a row.

There is no reason for them not to think they can't contend for a league title and more, they say.

"We have a lot of older guys stepping up," linebacker Chad Manis said. "Overall, we are a lot further along than we were last year. We are going to be ready."

It's not too hard to understand why the Utes are so hopeful.

Offensively, the Utes have a proven quarterback, two strong running backs, a deep receiving corps and new weapons at tight end.

Unlike last August, when a quarterback battle dominated camp, the theme in the preseason this time has been how best to use Jordan Wynn, who took over as starter in the eighth game. That puts the Utes further ahead than they were in 2009, believes Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.

"Experienced quarterback doesn't guarantee success, but it is a great starting point," he said.

Defensively, the Utes have a strong line and a secondary that is athletic, although not proven. The schedule looks good for Utah, too, with the Utes playing their toughest opponents, starting with No. 15 Pitt, at home.

They had better be ready, because Pitt represents the highest-ranked opponent the Utes have played in a season opener.

If the Utes can beat the Panthers on Thursday, the victory would send a message to the rest of the country that Utah, once again, might have been underestimated.

The added bonus to opening with such a highly ranked opponent is it has helped keep the team's focus on the immediate season and away from the impending move to the Pac-10 or other games on this year's schedule.

"We just need to concentrate on Pitt and let everything else go for now," Burton said. "We have to let everything else go and just concentrate on keeping it one game at a time."

As high as their confidence is, the Utes do acknowledge there are some question marks about their lineup.

The receivers are inexperienced, although the late addition of Mo Lee and Dexter Ransom helps.

Several injuries to starters have thrown a wrench into some of the Utes' plans for the season, especially on defense. Linebacker Nai Fotu and defensive lineman Lei Talamaivao, two players expected to carry starting roles, are out for the season due to injuries.

Others, including linebacker J.J. Williams (foot) and safety Victor Spikes (concussion), are out indefinitely.

However, the improvement and play of newcomers such as freshman safety Brian Blechen, lineman Joe Kruger and others have the defensive players believing they can hold their own.

"Our defensive line, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the best in college football," Manis said. "They are all big beefy guys, and they hold their gaps and are fun to play with."

Utah at a glance

The basics • Utah is picked to finish second in the conference, but the Utes believe they have a better team than that and are determined to leave the MWC with one last title. Key games against Pitt, TCU and BYU are all at home. A late-season highlight is the visit to Notre Dame.

Big question • Utah's defense lost several key starters, primarily at linebacker and cornerback. Optimism is high, but can Chad Manis, Matt Martinez and Conroy Black really replace the talent that was lost? A foot injury to linebacker J.J. Williams puts a cramp in Utes' early plans.

MVP • The Utes are showing how much they believe in sophomore quarterback Jordan Wynn by giving him a diversified offense which incorporates the tight ends more than ever. Wynn's biggest challenge will be finding a groove with a virtually brand new receiving corp.

Best-case scenario • The Utes beat Pitt and use the momentum of that win, just like they did their victory over Michigan in 2008, to roll to an undefeated season, leaving the MWC with a title and a BCS bid.

Worst-case scenario • Pitt rips up Utah's inexperienced defense en route to a victory, leaving the Utes shaken and with a season-opening loss. The defense never recovers, and Utah loses to both TCU and BYU at home to head to the Pac-10 with its tail between its legs. —

2010 schedule

Date Opponent Time TV

Sept. 2 Pittsburgh 6:30 p.m. Versus

At No. 15, Pitt is the highest-ranked team the Utes have faced in a season opener

Sept. 11 UNLV 2 p.m. The Mtn.

Utes lead series 10-1 as members of the same conference

Sept. 18 at New Mexico 6 p.m. The Mtn.

Utah has won last two of three on road, but is just 13-12-1 at New Mexico overall

Sept. 25 San Jose State 6 p.m. TBD

The last time the teams played in a Utah homecoming game, San Jose State won 24-6 in 1974

Oct. 9 at Iowa State TBD TBD

The Utes are 0-4 in the series that was played in the 1970s

Oct. 16 at Wyoming 4 p.m. The Mtn.

Utah has won four of the last five in Laramie

Oct. 23 Colorado State 4 p.m. The Mtn.

At 78 games, this is the fourth-longest rivalry in Utah history

Oct. 30 at Air Force 5:30 p.m. CBS College

The Utes still trail 12-14 but have won six of the last seven games

Nov. 6 TCU 1:30 p.m. CBS College

The 2008 game between the teams in Rice-Eccles went Utah's way, 13-10

Nov. 13 at Notre Dame 12:30 p.m. Ch. 5

This game marks Utah's first meeting with the Irish

Nov. 20 at San Diego State 8 p.m. The Mtn.

Utah hasn't lost in Qualcomm Stadium since 2002

Nov. 27 BYU 1:30 p.m. The Mtn., CBS College

Rivalry game sure to be a memorable one with Utah heading off to Pac-10 —

Utah roster: Two deep

OFFENSE

Left tackle

John Cullen 6-5 285 Jr.

Rated top JC offensive lineman

Percy Taumoelau 6-4 300 Fr.

Ex-Cottonwood standout redshirted in 2009

Left guard

Caleb Schlauderaff 6-4 300 Sr.

Second team All-MWC in 2009

Walter Watts 6-2 297 Sr.

Can squat 555 pounds

Center

Zane Taylor 6-2 309 Sr.

Up for Lowe's CLASS award

Vyncent Jones 6-3 290 Fr.

Two-time all-state player at Jordan H.S.

Right guard

Tevita Stevens 6-1 290 So.

Former walk-on can bench 385 pounds

Sam Brenner 6-3 300 So.

Slowed by injuries in fall camp

Right tackle

Tony Bergstrom 6-6 310 Jr.

Led OL in total plays (816) in 2009

Kapua Sai 6-5 307 Fr.

Recently returned from knee injury

Quarterback

Jordan Wynn 6-1 195 So.

Poinsettia Bowl MVP after win over Cal

Terrance Cain 5-11 194 Sr.

Backup had a strong fall camp

Running back

Matt Asiata 5-11 230 Sr.

Granted another year of eligibility by NCAA

or Eddie Wide 5-10 195 Sr.

Doak Walker award candidate

X receiver

Shaky Smithson 5-11 202 Sr.

Reputation as team's most versatile player

DeVonte Christopher 6-1 195 So.

Former QB has made good conversion to WR

H receiver

Jereme Brooks 5-7 170 Sr.

Led team with 7 touchdown receptions

Griff McNabb 5-8 168 Fr.

Walk-on has continued to excel in fall

Z receiver

Luke Matthews 6-1 201 So.

Benches 325 pounds, best among receivers

Fatu Moala 5-11 178 Fr.

Walk-on was the surprise of spring ball

Tight end

Kendrick Moeai 6-5 240 So.

Scored 2 TDs vs. Cal in Poinsettia Bowl

or Brad Clifford 6-4 245 Sr.

Walked on the team in 2004

DEFENSE

Left end

Junior Tui'one 6-4 265 Sr.

Played in 9 games as a junior

Derrick Shelby 6-3 255 Jr.

On the rebound from knee surgery

Tackle

Sealver Siliga 6-3 305 Jr.

Honorable mention All-MWC

Neli A'asa 6-2 287 Sr.

Spent last two years on offense

Nose tackle

Dave Kruger 6-5 290 So.

Has gained 20 pounds in offseason

James Aiono 6-4 290 Jr.

Top-rated JC recruit

Right end

Christian Cox 6-1 250 Sr.

Led Utes in sacks with 5.5

Joe Kruger 6-7 260 Fr.

Could be best Kruger yet

Rover linebacker

J.J. Williams 6-0 220 Jr.

Sidelined with a foot injury

Boo Andersen 6-1 230 So.

Played on special teams in 2009

Middle linebacker

Matt Martinez 6-0 223 Jr.

Boasts a 36-inch vertical jump

or Chaz Walker 5-11 218 Jr.

Season-high 5 tackles vs. New Mexico

Stud linebacker

Chad Manis 6-5 235 Sr.

Former QB made full transition to defense

Boo Andersen 6-1 230 So.

Prepped at Alta High School

Cornerback

Brandon Burton 6-0 185 Jr.

Runs a 4.35 in the 40

Conroy Black 6-0 180 Jr.

Second on team with 39-inch vertical

Cornerback

Lamar Chapman 5-8 176 Sr.

Limited in camp due to quad injury

or Conroy Black 6-0 180 Jr.

Played at Fullerton CC; redshirted in 2009

Nickelback

Lamar Chapman 5-8 176 Sr.

Started 4 games in 2009 at nickel

Reggie Topps 5-11 180 So.

Moved from safety to corner in spring

Free safety

Justin Taplin-Ross 6-3 214 Sr.

Began his career as a linebacker

Greg Bird 6-2 213 Jr.

Had a very strong second half of camp

Strong safety

Brian Blechen 6-2 208 Fr.

Former QB was one of fall camp's best players

Bryce Bennion 6-0 195 So.

Played in 2 games on special teams —

Utah blog

V Utah backup running back Sausan Shakerin, who has been sidelined with a concussion, will definitely miss the opener against Pitt, coach Kyle Whittingham said. Whittingham reiterated there is no timeline for Shakerin's return. The 6-foot-2, 227-pound sophomore is Utah's fastest running back but his career has been plagued by injuries. › http://blogs.sltrib.com/utes