2003 Statistics

Quarterback
It begins and ends for Utah with junior QB Alex Smith. He has stature, un-teachable pocket presence, and a keen awareness of all receivers and running lanes as they develop. Alex boasts the nation's lowest INT-percentage from all of 2003, 1.13. Accurate to 65%, Smith is also a run threat that coaches save for just the right time. But then they are not afraid to call his number on the ground several times in a drive. The result is an uncanny decision-making process rarely found. Smith would have done well back in the day as his own signal-caller, and with the benefit of Urban Meyer &Co.'s advice, he will soar that much higher as the Utes take it to the next offensive level(s) with Smith.

Running Back
Utah is a team that spreads the field with multi-receiver sets. The RB position is sometimes a second-option as a ball-carrier, but that doesn't mean the chosen back isn't often utilized. The vogue choice of late in Utah has been to get one solid back and run him exclusively, save third-down. Enter sophomore Mike Liti, a recently-promoted third-string runner who finds himself the heir by-default of this responsibility. Liti has an impressive average per carry from '03, so the "Polynesian powerhouse" will likely carry the team this way on his muscular, compacted frame. Receivers and tight ends line up in back, so a "U-back" often occurs this way. There has to be a spring conversion of one of the Ute's bevy of QBs, or there is little depth here.

Wide Receiver
Paris Warren leads the top three receivers back from last campaign. He is the H-receiver in the complex offense of Mike Sanford. Travis LaTendresse will be in a similar role as he and Warren roam the middle and near outside. Deep balls and field stretching are the monikers of sophomore Steve Savoy. The three senior backups will be peppered in to give the Utes an entire returning two-deep roster at WR. This unit will be the standout dimension in this offense.

Tight End
Chad Jacobsen will likely be anointed in spring ball to the starting spot. This agile junior is the fastest TE they have, and has been seasoned with experience throughout his days here. This position is good for quite a few touches (departed-TE Ben Moa had 57 combined, 31 rushes!), so look for the chosen player to be a seem-splitter with soft hands and a hard head.

Offensive Line
Only allowing 16 sacks in for all of 2003 is a good omen heading into the new campaign, but only averaging 3.6 yards per run isn't. Three returning seniors make the right side of the line a sure running alley, while sophomore standout Tavo Tupola has Smith's back at LT. The starters come in averaging right around 300, but the backups are lighter and fleeter, good for fresh legs that will wear down the opponents' dogs via rotation. Make sure you watch for this attrition-tactic as the QB's number is called to rush, but the play winds up being a roll-out instead. Anything goes in this offense, so the crew being familiar with Meyer and Smith means 2004 is a strong year for Utah's line.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
This continues, even in Meyer's second season at the helm, to be a grinding offense that can wear you down with ball-control tactics as well as they can strike before you realize what hit you. Meyer has the versatile QB needed to keep foes on their heels. Lining up with three- and four-receiver sets to then run it makes defenses constantly guess, and, therefore, guess wrong much/most of the time. Running averages can suffer, but the clock runs and the sticks move when Smith leads this part of the team. Everything from options to reverses to play-action roll-outs are in the cards in this refreshing offensive approach, so watch the Utes to see why we rank them so relatively high.

Defensive Line
This area is a mixed blessing, with three of the four starters from a squad that allowed 3.8 years per rush coming back. With only 22 sacks to show for themselves from '03, it is hard to tell whether this inconsistent crew has righted itself. There is size inside, but the two guards are not finding the opponent's backfield enough yet. Marquess "Heddy" Ledbetter is undersized, but plays much bigger - his 38-inch vertical leap is second on the team. But there is concern with the balance of this unit and how it will help the entire defensive side. If opponents can run at will, any clock-management advantages provided by the Utah offense become neutralized.

Linebacker
There is a good enough prospectus here such that it should be considered a marginal strength if all remain healthy. Otherwise, it looks barren for experienced LBs. Spencer Toone is prototypical of all the returning LBs. He is fast (4.51 40-time is fourth fastest on the whole team) and strong, as is backup rover Zach Tune (no relation, in case you wondered). Senior Corey Dodds will line up as an end in third-downs, but has not shown any pension for sacking opposing-QBs yet. The size here has allowed for creative pass-rushing and coverage schemes, but little success in the run-stuffing departments. Pulling guards and traps often work against these guys, so opponents, take notes, and try your best, because it won't be easy, but may be possible. Middle LB duties are crucial, but as of now, unassigned.

Defensive Back
This dimension is the returning strength of the defense, and two of the four who made 2003 such a strong effort are back. CB Eric Weddle has the size to make opponents throw away from him. He finds the ball when runs come his way, too. Free safety Morgan Scalley will be the leader here, and his recognition of run and/or pass calls is the key to the entire squad. Scalley will be relied upon to keep the play in front of him, and since he is such a stud in all categories, expect his leadership to be the defense's glue. Shaun Harper is the other corner and has much promise. Harper has smarts beyond his years, and his heady play will be a big boost in complement of Weddle and Scalley. Pass-defense went from ranking 74th to 28th in one season under Meyer - the defensive genius of DC Kyle Whittingham is now focused in this facet, so expect more of the same as these young men get stronger.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The overall defensive ranking under Meyer didn't budge much, but it did shift, as stated. This is a crew that now takes passing situations seriously as they allow a run or two to get through. With the end result about the same, look for run-stopping to be a need for any team success. The Ute's run-stoppers went from 12th in the nation to 46th. The line is in trouble when the major-conferenced foes are that week's fare. The swarming tactics Utah has employed will be necessary once again. The offense is good enough to keep up with anyone, so the stoppers have their work cut out for them if their defense is to contribute to team successes.