This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated.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