CFI Preview: BCS Busters Top Five

1. Boise State Broncos
College Football Insiders: 16
Associated Press: 14
Coaches Poll: 16
2008 Record: 12-1 (WAC: 8-0)
The Broncos hold the No.1 spot due to their record of success, and until they prove they do not belong in the preseason top 25, they should be members of it. They have a solid offensive line which gave up only 11 sacks all season in 2008, a quarterback in Kellen Moore who is a strong pocket passer, and a solid secondary which has all but one returning starter. Their offensive line is a big question mark at this point. They have only two upper-classmen starting while the rest are sophomores earning their first full-time starting jobs. There is definitely more to love than hate with this Broncos team and until they show signs of significant downfall from last seasons’ success, they will be in the BCS Busters’ top-five rankings.
Up Next: 9/3 vs. Oregon; 9/12 @ Toledo

2. Utah Utes
College Football Insiders: 20
Associated Press: 19
Coaches Poll: 18
2008 Record: 13-0 (MWC: 8-0)
The Utes have one of the strongest defenses in the in the nation, returning seven starters from a year ago. They do have holes to fill on offense, including every skill position. Quarterback Corbin Louks has the skill set to take this team far this season due to his ability to run the ball. The fact he can get out of the pocket and make things happen brings huge upside to this revamped offense. They still have first-team All-MMWC tackle Zane Beadles, who will serve as a mentor to the new group of linemen coming in. The defense will be rock solid, but the offense will need to come through and move the chains to keep the defense fresh if the Utes are going to make a BCS Bowl push.
Up Next: 9/3 vs. Utah State; 9/12 @ San Jose State

3. BYU Cougars
College Football Insiders: NR
Associated Press: 20
Coaches Poll: 24
2008 Record: 10-3 (MWC: 6-2)
The Cougars’ Max Hall should do wonders for an offense that brings back only four starters from a year ago. Hall has great pocket presence and an outstanding tight end in Dennis Pitta to throw to if he gets into trouble. The offensive line is young and inexperienced, but could be surprisingly effective. The defense brings back seven starters and should be a force in the MWC. The only factors that could potentially bring this team down from the top-five rankings are their offensive line and the schedule. Playing Oklahoma, Florida State, TCU, Air Force and Utah, will be a big test for this young team. Should they pull a couple of upsets, they will make their way to a New Year’s Day bowl game.
Up Next: 9/5 vs. Oklahoma (Dallas); 9/12 @ Tulane

4. TCU Horned Frogs
College Football Insiders: NR
Associated Press: 17
Coaches Poll: 17
2008 Record: 11-2 (MWC: 7-1)
The Horned Frogs have great balance on offense and return seven starters from 2008. All but one skill position will be a second-year starter which bodes well for this group. Their defense still has the likes of defensive end Jerry Hughes, who can be a game-changing performer and protect the secondary because of his pass-rushing ability. The secondary returns three starters of its own and should be able to hold their own even if Hughes can’t get to the quarterback on every play. The Frogs have one of the softer schedules of the BCS Buster teams and have a great chance of climbing up the top-five rankings as the season progresses.
Up Next: 9/12 @ Virginia; 9/19 vs. Texas State

5. Nevada Wolf Pack
College Football Insiders: NR
Associated Press: 50
Coaches Poll: 40
2008 Record: 7-6 (WAC: 5-3)
The Wolf Pack have a high-powered offense that will cause trouble for opposing defenses. The ground game they possess is tremendous, with the quarterback (Collin Kaepernick) and tailback (Vai Taua) both coming off 1,000-yard seasons in 2008. It is the pass defense that needs to tighten up—they were last in the nation in that department a year ago, surrendering a horrific 311.6 yards per game. Despite a good pass rush, the secondary allowed too many points on the board for the Wolf Pack to win close games. They were 1-4 in games which both teams scored 30 or more points. If the secondary can even remotely catch up with the defensive line, this team will be feared and should end up with a much better record than its 7-6 mark of a season ago.
Up Next: 9/5 @ Notre Dame; 9/19 @ Colorado State

CFI Countdown: #20 Utah Utes

2008 Record: 13-0 (Mountain West: 8-0)
Bowl Game: Won Sugar Bowl vs. Alabama 31-17
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Stadium: Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017)
Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham
Overall: 37-14 (5th season)
Utah: 37-14 (5th season)
Link to Utah Football Page

Coach Kyle Whittingham has been here before. His first season at the helm in Salt Lake City followed Utah’s undefeated season of 2004 under Urban Meyer (12-0), and the Utes finished a disappointing 7-5. Since then, Utah has averaged 10 wins over the last three seasons, including last year’s 13-0 run which included wins over Oregon St., TCU, and BYU, an upset in the Big House, and the Sugar Bowl thrashing of Alabama. It will be difficult to repeat, but don’t expect a major drop off.

When the Utes Have the Ball

Offensive Coordinator: Dave Schramm (1st season)
Scheme: Spread Offense
Starters Returning: Four
Key Losses: QB Brian Johnson, RB Darrell Mack, WR Freddie Brown, WR Brent Casteel, WR Brandon Godfrey, OG Robert Conley, K Louie Sakoda

How does Utah replace signal caller Brian Johnson? The standout quarterback earned Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and was clutch as any quarterback in the country doing his best work in the fourth quarter. It won’t be easy; beyond his numbers, Johnson was a winner. They won’t be able to replace Johnson, but should get enough production from the quarterback position to compete for another Mountain West crown and maybe even another BCS bowl bid. Expect both newcomers—freshman Jordan Wynn and junior college transfer Terrance Cain—to see significant action this season. The good news is, they won’t have to carry the load. Left tackle Zane Beadles will ensure they are well protected and guard Zane Taylor is among the best in the business. They must replace their top three receivers from a year ago as well, but there is confidence that David Reed and Jereme Brooks are up to the challenge, with freshman Luke Matthews, Jr. one to watch. On the ground, leading rusher Matt Asiata returns, and at 230 pounds he is a load whether he lines up in the backfield or takes the direct snap from shotgun.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) OT Zane Beadles (SR), 2) C/OG Zane Taylor (JR), 3) RB Matt Asiata (SR)

When the Other Team Has the Ball

Defensive Coordinator: Kalani Sitake (1st season)
Scheme: 4-3
Starters Returning: Seven
Key Losses: DE Paul Kruger, CB Sean Smith, CB Bruce McCain, DL Greg Newman

Even with the loss of defensive studs Paul Kruger and Sean Smith—a pair of day one NFL draft picks—the Utah defense returns senior leaders at all three levels in end Koa Misi, linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, and free safety Robert Johnson. Sylvester is the heart and soul of the defense, as well as its top playmaker, which he displayed to the nation with his dominating performance against the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. He possesses excellent speed, a relentless motor, and a knack for getting into the backfield. Senior Mike Wright is solid at the MIKE. This past week Misi injured his back, and it would be a big blow if he were to miss significant time. Sophomore Derrick Shelby is a comer at the other end position. The key to the defense will be how sophomore Brandon Burton and senior R. J. Stanford perform at cornerback. To help ease the transition, they will be backed up be two stellar safeties in Johnson and Joe Dale, a pair of returning senior starters.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) DE Koa Misi (SR), 2) LB Stevenson Sylvester (SR), 3) FS Robert Johnson (SR)

The Schedule

We could find out very early if the Utes have it in them to repeat as the top BCS Buster as they visit Oregon on September 19th. If the Utes leave Eugene undefeated, they should reach 9-0 before a November trip to TCU to take on the Horned Frogs, which is when it really gets tough. Not only do they have to visit TCU, two weeks later they make the trip to in-state rival BYU. Beating both MWC challengers on the road is a tall task and a major change from a year ago when they hosted TCU, BYU, and their toughest out of conference foe, Oregon St. This year’s three toughest games are all away from the friendly confines of Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Pivotal Point

The Utes not only suffered key loses on the field, but on the sidelines as well. Johnson is not the only leader missing from the 2008 club. Broyles Award Finalist Gary Anderson and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig have also departed. Anderson was the Utes’ defensive coordinator from 2005 until last season, in addition to taking on the Assistant Head Coach role that prepared him for his head coaching duties at Utah St. He was the defensive line coach for the 2004 team. Utah’s defense was ranked first in the Mountain West Conference and fifth in the nation. Kalani Sitake steps up from his linebacker coach position. Ludwig left his post as offensive coordinator (also since 2005) for the same role at Cal and was also replaced from within. Dave Schramm, who was the running backs coach the last four years, takes over both the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach roles. The quicker the new coordinators can settle in at their new positions (not to mention their replacements), the easier it will be to deal with the personnel changes.

CFI Final Analysis

Utah has enough talent returning and coming off a perfect season, they deserve to be the team to beat in the Mountain West heading into the 2009 campaign. But make no mistake—it will be a three-team race, with TCU and BYU battling the Utes for conference supremacy. While Utah has to play both of those contenders on the road, the fact that the games come late in the season will allow the new coordinators and quarterbacks to adjust to their roles. As long as they don’t allow a potential early season loss to Oregon to derail their season, the Utes should find their way to another double-digit win season.

College Football Insiders Top 25 Countdown:
The Next 25 (26-50) Plus 18 Bowl Teams
#25 West Virginia Mounainteers
#24 Tennessee Volunteers
#23 Clemson Tigers
#22 Pittsburgh Panthers
#21 Michigan St. Spartans

Contact Daniel Mogollon via email dan@collegefootballinsiders.com

Photo Credit: College Press Box, University of Utah

DE PAUL KRUGER On All Access Football Radio

Paul Kruger joins the NFL Draft Bible for another edition of our Player Spotlights. Kruger is a 6’4” 263-pound defensive end out of Utah who projects as a day one selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. After recording 7.5 sacks among his 16.5 tackles for a loss on his way to a First Team All-Mountain West selection as a redshirt sophomore, the NFL Draft Bible’s fifth ranked defensive end left Utah with two years of eligibility remaining for the 2009 NFL Draft. Not your typical redshirt sophomore, Kruger is mature beyond his years having spent two years on a LDS Mission in Kansas and Missouri. Kruger has also overcome tragedy, surviving a brutal stabbing in January of last year. The former Ute talks with All Access Football Radio about his off the field experiences, playing for Utah and preparing for the NFL Draft.

College Football Insiders Founder and NFL Draft Bible President Daniel Mogollon conducted the interview on February 17, 2009.

*** CLICK TO LISTEN ***

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Utah)

CB SEAN SMITH On All Access Radio

Join us in another NFL Draft Bible Player Spotlight with the stellar corner Sean Smith coming out of Utah after declaring for the NFL Draft following his junior season. He talks with the NFL Draft Bible on All Access Football Radio about being underrated coming out of California, changing positions from running back to wide receiver and finally to cornerback, as well as preparing for the 2009 NFL Draft. Smith, who recorded nine interceptions among his 25 passes defensed as a sophomore and a junior, is currently ranked as the seventh cornerback on the NFL Draft Bible’s Big Board and with his 6’3” frame provides unique length for teams looking for a big coverman.

Interview was conducted on February 17, 2009.

*** CLICK TO LISTEN ***

Photo Credit: College Press Box (Utah)

ALABAMA IS TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) - With their 34-10 win over Clemson in Atlanta, the Alabama Crimson Tide (1-0) is the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week for games of the weekend of Aug. 30.

The Alabama defense held Clemson to just 188 yards of total offense and 11 first downs. Clemson finished the game with no rushing yards.

John Parker Wilson completed 22-of-30 passes for 180 yards and two scores and Mark Ingram and Glen Coffee combined for 186 yards rushing. Leigh Tiffin also booted four field goals for the Crimson Tide.

For Alabama, it was the Tide's 12th straight win over Clemson and its seventh straight to open a season.

Other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Aug. 30 included:

· East Carolina (1-0): T.J. Lee blocked a punt and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown with 1:52 left in the game to give the Pirates a 27-22 over Virginia Tech.

· UCLA (1-0): Kai Forbath's 42-yard field goal in overtime gave coach Rick Neuheisel a 27-24 win over Tennessee in his coaching debut for the Bruins.

· Utah (1-0): Brian Johnson threw for 305 yards and Louie Sakoda kicked four field goals as the Utes beat Michigan, 25-23, in front of 108,421 in Ann Arbor.

The FWAA has named a national team of the week since the 2002 season. This is the fifth season that the award has been sponsored by the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Members of the FWAA board of directors and All-America committee decide the weekly honor. Each Monday during the 2008 college football season, the FWAA will name the Tostitos Bowl National Team of the Week through Dec. 1.

Since 1971, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl has hosted six games that have decided the college football national championship, including three Bowl Championship Series title games. This season the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game will be played on Jan. 5, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., and the Insight Bowl will be played on Dec. 31, 2008 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

For more information on the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week, go to footballwriters.com or fiestabowl.org.

CFI RANKINGS: #22 UTAH UTES

2007 RECORD: 9-4; MOUNTAIN WEST: 5-3
Won Poinsettia Bowl vs. Navy 35-32
LOCATION: Salt Lake City, Utah
STADIUM: Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017)
HEAD COACH: Kyle Whittingham
OVERALL: 24-14 (3 seasons)
AT UTAH: 24-14 (3 seasons)

Under Coach Whittingham the Utes have steadily improved after starting out 7-5 in the year one AM (After Meyer, Urban). Utah won nine games last year and are on course to reach double digits in victories in 2008. They enter the season unranked and below the radar with in-state rival and Mountain West favorite BYU garnering the non-BCS accolades. I don’t believe Coach Whittingham or his Utes mind at all.

WHEN THE UTES HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Andy Ludwig (4th Season)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
KEY LOSSES: Derrick Richards, Brian Hernandez

When healthy, QB Brian Johnson is among the most dangerous dual threat quarterbacks in the nation and, according to reports, the senior is looking pretty good. He suffered a serious knee injury (torn ACL) and a shoulder injury to boot, but looked his best in the bowl game last year and could be close to 100 percent for his senior season. On the ground, after starter Matt Asiata went down for the season in the opener, Darrell Mack, who was scheduled to redshirt, stepped right in and rumbled for 1,200 yards. Both backs return in what should a productive backfield. The Utes return four of five starters along the line and most of their depth, which bodes well for their balanced attack.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) OT Zane Beadles (JR), 2) QB Brian Johnson (SR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Gary Anderson (5th Season/11th at Utah)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
KEY LOSSES: Steve Tate, Joe Jiannoni, Martail Burnett, Gabe Long

The Utes know how to stop the pass—opponents managed a meager 50.5 completion rate against them, while Utah picked off 17 passes and allowing just nine scores through the air. They only have to replace one defensive back, SS Steve Tate, and his replacement isn’t too shabby—Joe Dale was the Defensive MVP in the Poinsettia Bowl with 12 tackles and an interception in the game’s final minute. They can also get after the quarterback, as sophomore Paul Kruger (Freshman All-American) and junior Koa Misi (played tackle last year) are ready for bust-out seasons from defensive end. Linebacker could be their one Achilles heel, as they must replace two starters from 2007. However, expect junior Stevenson Sylvester to build on a solid sophomore season.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) FS Robert Johnson (JR), 2) CB Brice McCain (SR)

THE SCHEDULE

The opportunity is there for the Utes to make a big statement with an opening win in the Big House. One thing working in Utah’s favor is that Michigan is breaking in a new system and nine new starters offensively, including a first time starter at quarterback. The negative? This is the house where the legend of Appalachian St. was built…meaning the Wolverines will be ready. They face another BCS test when the Beavers of Oregon St. come to Salt Lake at mid-season. The conference schedule is set up perfectly for the Utes to make a run at a Mountain West title, as both TCU and BYU (in the season finale) visit Rice-Eccles.

PIVOTAL POINT

Brian Johnson: In the nine games that the Texas native started and finished at quarterback last season, the Utes won eight. Johnson finished fourth in the nation in total offense as a true sophomore in 2005 and was being touted as the spread offense prototype with his pass/run abilities (this was pre-Tim Tebow). A knee injury not only cost him the final two games of the 2005 season, but all of 2006. Which quarterback will we see in 2008? When we get that answer, we’ll know if the Utes can repeat the magic of 2004 when they went undefeated and won the Fiesta Bowl.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

Johnson’s strong finish to the 2007 season—20-of-25 for 226 yards and season-highs with 11 carries for 69 yards rushing in the Poinsettia Bowl—and the fact that he’s another year removed from his knee injury, are cause for optimism; he may have his best season yet as a Ute. Everything else is in place: the line, the skill players and a solid defense. Even the schedule—three of their four toughest games are at home—is set up for a 10 or 11 win season. After taking a back seat to BYU the last couple of seasons, look for Utah to take back the state and a Mountain West crown.

Photo Credit: University of Utah

CFI: THIS DATE IN HISTORY

Nov. 22, 2003: Utah becomes the first school to shut out Brigham Young in an NCAA-record 361 games with a 3-0 blanking in Provo, Utah. The victory also gives the Utes their first Mountain West Conference football crown.


Credit: The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame

CFI: THIS DATE IN HISTORY

Sept. 20, 1984: Washington State trails Utah 40-14 with nine minutes left in the game before rallying for 28 unanswered points to win 42-40.