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EARLY
BIRD 2009 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2008 |
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UTAH
UTES |
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OFFENSE
- 5 |
------RETURNING
STARTERS------ |
DEFENSE
- 7 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Brian Johnson-QB, Darrell Mack-RB,
Bradon Godfrey-WR, Freddie Brown-WR,
Brent Casteel-WR, Colt Sampson-TE,
Robert Conley-OG, Dustin Hensel-OT,
Louie Sakoda-P/K |
DEFENSE:
Greg
Newman-DT, Brice McCain-CB, Deshawn
Richard-S, Terrell Cole-FS, Paul
Kruger-DE (NFL), Sean Smith-CB
(NFL) |
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Defense |
Eight
of the top 11 tacklers
are back from the
MWC’s No.
2 defense. Utah
will garner their
BCS-Buster status
again via stopping
power since the
offense turns over
so many hats. |
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Offensive
Skill Positions |
The
holes are glaring
on offense. Virtually
every single skill
position will break
in a new starter.
Losing the MWC Offensive
Player of the Year
at QB does not help
the reloading process. |
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OT
Zane Beadles |
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LB
Stevenson Sylvester |
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*
DEPTH CHARTS were only designed
as a simplistic gauge for listing
players that departed and players
that received the most playing
experience (consistent starters).
NationalChamps.net recognizes
the importance of missing personnel
data not listed such as redshirts,
transfers, injuries, incoming
recruits, back ups and alternates.
Their coverage will begin with
our full 2009 Preseason Preview
due out this coming spring. |
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UTAH
2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Corbin
Louks-Jr |
Chad
Manis-Jr |
RB |
Matt
Asiata-Sr |
Eddie
Wide-Jr |
WR |
David
Reed-Sr |
.. |
WR |
Aiona
Key-Sr |
.. |
WR |
Jereme
Brooks-Jr |
.. |
TE |
Chris
Joppru-Sr |
.. |
OT |
Zane
Beadles-Sr |
.. |
OG |
Caleb
Schlauderaff-Jr |
.. |
C |
Zane
Taylor-Jr |
.. |
OG |
.. |
.. |
OT |
.. |
.. |
K |
.. |
.. |
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UTAH
2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Koa
Misi-Sr |
.. |
DT |
.. |
.. |
NT |
Derrick
Shelby-So |
Kenape
Eliapo-Sr |
DE |
.. |
.. |
SLB |
Nai
Fotu-Jr |
Kepa
Gaison-Sr |
MLB |
Mike
Wright-Sr |
.. |
RLB |
Stevenson
Sylvester-Sr |
Chaz
Walker-So |
CB |
.. |
.. |
CB |
.. |
.. |
SS |
Joe
Dale-Sr |
.. |
FS |
Robert
Johnson-Sr |
R.J.
Stanford-Sr |
P |
.. |
.. |
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QUICK
ANALYSIS |
12/9/08
The Utes are going to defend
their Mountain West Conference
title/BCS Buster status just
fine. Yes, the holes are glaring
on offense due the senior departures,
which includes the current MWC
Offensive Player of the Year
Brian Johnson at quarterback.
Every single skill position
on offense will be virtually
depleted. The ole adage that
defense wins championships will
get put to a severe test; nine
starters return from a group
that finished in the top three
of every major conference defensive
statistical category. The defensive
line is a rock led by two All-MWC
players. 23-year old junior
Paul Kruger gives the Utes a
serious threat for pressuring
opposing quarterbacks. Ten of
the top 11 Ute tacklers are
back in the fold for next season.
CB Sean Smith (five INTs) heads
a senior-based secondary that
provides the defense with the
necessary balance. Whoever replaces
defensive coordinator Gary Andersen
has the potential to become
an instant coaching sensation
with this bunch. Once again,
the obvious key for this staff
will be reloading on offense.
Getting the first crack at quarterback
will be super-quick Corbin Louks.
His running dimension should
continue to add interesting
spice to this offensive mix.
Despite the fact that big running
back Darrell Mack has moved
on, there are plenty of options.
Eddie Wide garnered most of
the starts in 2008, though,
Matt Asiata is the team's leading
rusher. Whomever the QB, he
will need some time this spring
to get acquainted with the new
faces at receiver. The offensive
line has a few veterans like
First Team All-MWC tackle Zane
Beadles to help break in the
newbies on the right side. Head
coach Kyle Whittingham has proven
to be a winner. and with so
much talent coming back on his
defensive side, Utah is set
to be the highest rated mid-major
team to enter 2009...just as
they ended the 2008 regular
season. Repeating with another
undefeated season is not out
of the question by any stretch.
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UTAH
2009 SCHEDULE
Sep.
5 Utah State
Sep. 12 at San Jose State
Sep. 19 at Oregon
Sep. 26 Louisville
TBA Air Force
TBA Wyoming
TBA New Mexico
TBA San Diego State
TBA at UNLV
TBA at Colorado State
TBA at TCU
TBA at Brigham Young
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