By Gregg Xenakes Aug 22, 2007, 16:50 GMT
OFFENSE: Ratliff may no longer be around to rely on in the huddle, but really his time leading the offense was nothing more than a result of Brian Johnson going down to a knee injury late in 2005. Johnson, who was named All-MWC Second Team at quarterback as a sophomore, sat out the 2006 campaign to allow himself ample time to rehab from his surgery and come back with a vengeance. A starter in 10 games in 2005, Johnson led the Mountain West and was ranked fourth in the nation in terms of total offense with an average of 337 ypg as he tried to get Utah fans to forget about Alex Smith, who was chosen first overall in the NFL Draft a year earlier. Johnson could have come back at some point last season, but did not. More than just a passer, Johnson brings with him an aggressive approach when it comes to moving the ball, placing second on the team in rushing with 478 yards and eight touchdowns two seasons ago. As long as he's not tentative about putting himself out in the middle of the field and exposed, expect to see much more of that sort of excitement this season. Working heavily in favor of Johnson's impending success is that every significant receiver from a year ago is back for another go-around with the Utes, beginning with Derrek Richards, who hauled in a team-best 60 balls for 717 yards and six TDs. Now a junior, Brent Casteel made quite a splash a season ago, as he stretched 39 receptions into 600 yards and a team-best 10 TDs, earning him All-MWC Second Team honors as a result. Caught between the two is Brian Hernandez, who played the part of possession receiver with 47 catches, for an average of nine yards apiece. Although he averaged less than four yards per carry, Darryl Poston was the primary ball carrier for the unit in 2006, posting 553 yards and five touchdowns. The loss of all-conference performer Tavo Tupola on the offensive line should be cause for concern, but at least the team still has four returning starters (Zane Beadles, Jason Boone, Robert Conley and Kyle Gunther) ready and willing to contribute.
DEFENSE: Weddle, who was one of the nation's leaders in interceptions (seven) a year ago was a huge loss for the Utes heading into the 2007 campaign, but he wasn't the only top-notch performer who abandoned the unit and has to be replaced. Kelly Talavou and Paul Soliai were both all-conference linebackers a season ago, leaving All-MWC Second Team member Joe Jiannoni trying to balance out the middle of the field at his linebacker spot. Jiannoni, now a senior, was second on the unit in tackles in 2006 with 92 stops and was also among the leaders in tackles for loss and sacks with 8.0 and 4.0, respectively. Joining him will be fellow linebacker Malakai Mokofisi (38 tackles), yet another starter from a year ago, but not someone who had as much experience as the rest of the heavy hitters. Despite having to fill so many positions on the defensive side of the ball with some inexperience, lineman Martail Burnett is not one that needs to have his hand held as he tries to improve upon his 10.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks, both of which paced the Utes a season ago. However, as the only returning starter on the defensive line, Burnett is going to get more than his share of attention from opponents, which may actually open the door for players like Greg Newman, Gabe Long or Kenape Eliapo to take on some of the burden. Senior free safety Steve Tate has the unenviable task of trying to repeat as the top tackler for the Utes, after making 102 stops (58 solo) in 2006. Tate not only freelanced as the last line of defense for the squad, he also made it a habit of crossing up opponents and blasting over the line of scrimmage to come up with 8.5 TFLs as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS: As was the case last season, the punting and placekicking for the Utes will be carried out by Louie Sakoda, who managed to do the jobs well enough in 2006 to earn himself Co-Special Teams Player of the Year in the MWC along with New Mexico's Kenny Byrd. Sakoda, who converted all but one of his 14 field goal attempts from 39 yards and in, finished the campaign 16-of-20. Not only that, Sakoda also stepped in to push opponents back with his punting, an effort that resulted in 30 of his 59 kicks dropping inside the 20-yard line, along with 19 fair catches. Even though he has become such a force as a receiver, Casteel is still being listed as the primary punt returner for the Utes and is also slated to return kickoffs as well.
OUTLOOK: A healthy Brian Johnson will make all the difference in the world for the Utah offense this season, which means it is the team's defense that will be the top concern. The Utes play two of their first three games of the campaign versus Pac-10 foes in Oregon State and UCLA, with MWC foe Air Force tucked in between to kick off the league slate. Unfortunately for the squad, it has a losing record against all three of those opponents so it will be important for Whittingham to get his charges ready to go. After that, the rest of the schedule falls into place with every opponent having a losing mark versus the Utes over the years. Expect trips to Louisville, TCU and BYU to be top priority, especially the latter, which will be the regular season finale in late November.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Your Talkback on this Story