Episode 38 – The long wait is over...

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Summer in Utah is hot.. Temperatures vary based on geographic region, but 100+ degree days are common in just about any part of the state. In the southern half of Utah, particularly the southwestern section, it isn’t unusual to see 110+ degree days, sometimes for weeks in a row. It’s usually a dry heat (for example, right now the temperature in Salt Lake City is 91 degrees with 28% humidity), which is less oppressive than heavy, moist conditions, but leaves one feeling a bit dried out by the end of summer.

I mention this because autumn has always been my favorite time of the year for a variety of reasons, and I am very excited to see the end of August/start of September this year. The growing crispness in the air is nice, and a welcome respite from the heat. But the cool nights and changing leaves also means football season is upon us – and that is a very good thing.

This week all three of Utah’s NCAA Division-1 schools play their opening games. The University of Utah travels to Oregon State, Brigham Young University hosts Arizona, and Utah State University welcomes UNLV. The Utah SportsCast aspires to support and report on all local athletics, although we tend to feature those we follow as fans, namely Utah and BYU. We extend our apologies to Utah State for not giving equal time, but we are trying to cultivate a rooting interest. So, hopefully we will have more on the Aggies in the future.

[Incidentally, it would help if USU could provide a better program. I’m not trying to be overly critical, and we’re not waiting for the bandwagon to come around or anything, but more than one win would be nice.]

Anyway, Zach and I have been looking forward to the big preview show all summer, and you can find all the good stuff on the podcast. Here are a few of my thoughts, in addition:

Utah: This year should be a small improvement over last, although I wouldn’t expect anything dramatic. Another year under the belt is bound to help Head Coach Kyle Wittingham and his team. I don’t think they will contend for the conference title this year, but they should still make a late-December bowl game.

Should be strengths:

Wide Receivers: Brent Casteel, Utah’s most explosive offensive player, should benefit from playing with the very mobile Brian Johnson. If the quarterback is a running threat it could keep safeties and linebackers back a step, which would give Casteel more space in which to operate. Derrek Richards (last season’s leading receiver), Marquis Wilson, and Brian Hernandez will be other key targets in Utah’s deep, talented receiving corps.

Offensive Line: This was predicted to be a weakness last season because of the youth at nearly every position. They played much better than expected, and so, in theory, should only have improved. They graduated an All-Conference tackle, but are returning the majority of last year’s line. Zane Beadles at left tackle should be one of the standouts.

Linebackers: Utah will start three seniors this year, including Joe Jiannoni, who was one of the backbones of last year’s defense. Kyle Brady and Malakai Mokofisi are the other two starters; Stevenson Sylvester – a freshman standout last year – should also see plenty of action.

Special Teams: Louie Sakoda will be returning as both punter and placekicker. Last year’s Mountain West Conference Special Teams Co-Player of the Year was a critical component in several key wins last year, including the win over TCU. Utah doesn’t have specialists as punt returners and kick returners, but they should be better than adequate.

Could be weaknesses:

Running Backs: Darryl Poston is coming back for his 10th season (or something like that), although he was not very effective last year. Darrell Mack will redshirt this year, which should mean more carries for junior college transfer Matt Asiata.

Tight Ends: Matt Sims and Colt Sampson traded duties last year, and they both return for another year. Both are valuable as blockers, but neither is a great target at receiver. A different, mobile quarterback could boost the value of the position, however.

Defensive Line: Martail Burnett is returning, and Gabe Long is expected to be around for the full season. But graduating two all-conference linemen would hurt any team, and the rest of the D-line seems to be relatively young and inexperienced.

Secondary: It doesn’t matter how good the replacements are, losing a consensus All-American will hurt the team. Steve Tate is the only senior in the secondary, although all of the projected starters have at least one year of previous playing experience.

The big question mark:

Quarterback: It’s been around 22 months since Brian Johnson was carted off the playing field with a wrecked knee. His physical condition is reported to be excellent, but he still hasn’t taken a snap in regular competition in over two years. He is an intelligent, poised player, with a strong arm and good running ability. If he has a great year, Utah could do very well. If he is inconsistent and shaky, it will be a long season.

BYU: It’s very difficult to imagine the Cougars will have as magical a season this year as they did last (unless you are a supporter, of course, and then there is no difficulty whatsoever). Bronco Mendenhall’s program is running along smoothly enough, but too many key players graduating is likely to spell fewer wins in 2007.

Should be strengths:

Running Backs: BYU graduated one of their all-time greatest backs last year. Applying the same logic as used above, it would make sense that this could be one of the shaky points of the offense. However, they are returning Manase Tonga and Fui Vakapuna, both of which are strong, exciting runners who had great seasons in 2006.

Wide Receivers: This has been a strong suit for the Cougars for several years, and should continue to be this year. Matt Allen and Bryce Mahuika will be primary targets, as well as Austin Collie, the former Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year.

Linebackers: Bryan Kehl and David Nixon are returning to anchor a squad that graduated their all-conference leader last season. In spite of that, this is one of the deepest and most talented facets of the team, and will be a noteworthy strength.

Secondary: Returning quality players like Dustin Gabriel, Quinn Gooch, and Ben Criddle will help BYU’s defense win a few games for the team. This was the embarrassing weakness of the team as recently as pre-season last year, but they have improved dramatically.

Could be weaknesses:

Quarterback: Max Hall has a lot to live up to, and is going to struggle at times this year. It’s that simple. He is reported to have a strong, accurate arm and great decision-making ability, but he has never taken a snap in an actual collegiate-level game. He will probably have flashes of greatness, but the coaching staff will also have to figure out how to lessen his negative impact at times.

Tight Ends: BYU’s tight end was almost as critical as the quarterback last year. Also like the quarterbacks, both the starter and the backup graduated in this position. This has been a traditional strength for the Cougars, but the youth and lack of previous playing time will be difficult to overcome.

Offensive Line: The team has been through some struggles with their O-line in recent years, although 2006 signaled a return to good form. They will struggle to replace a departed all-conference tackle, and will suffer from protecting a less-savvy quarterback. Guards Ray Feinga and Travis Bright are the only projected starters with more than one year of experience.

Defensive Line: If BYU has defensive struggles it will be at the line, where they are likely to start three sophomores. The 3-4 defense minimizes the role of the line somewhat, but they still need to plug the middle on runs and provide some pressure on quarterbacks in the pocket. Last year they relied on linebackers to do much of that, so an improved D-line would really help the overall plan.

The big question mark:

Special Teams: Special teams had a very significant negative impact last year. Missed field goals in two early games were the difference between their excellent 10-2 year and what could have been: A perfect 12-0 season and Cougar Immortality (as well as a likely BCS Bowl bid). They don’t seem to have improved on any level, but their new, freshman kicker is named Mitch Payne, which should sound familiar to fans. If he is anything like the previous Payne, it could be a step in the right direction.

posted by Nate and Zach @ 2:19 PM