Autzen Zoo Pac-12 Preview: Utah Utes Loaded In Pac-12 South

The Utah Utes have College Football Playoff aspirations entering 2019 and may have a defense to take them there.

Last season, Head Coach Kyle Whittingham watched his team lose 10-3 in a defensive game in the Pac-12 Championship vs the Washington Huskies. Utah was picked to win the Pac-12 South Division in the media poll last month and may just find a way to do it.

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson returns in the secondary and was among the nation’s best at picking interceptions last season. He had just four interceptions but found a way to 127 interception return yards making him a threat. In 66 games at Utah, he has had 66 tackles to go with 10 pass breakups in his career.

After two weeks of practice, several new Utes on the Offensive Line are standing out, as well as Running Back Jordan Wilmore, who is likely competing for a third-string spot behind starter Zach Moss who may be missing some time with a possible injury.

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Following a Twitter report that said he had a hand or finger injury and may miss three to four weeks. Head Coach Kyle Whittingham allowed the speculation to continue as the team does not comment on injuries per policy.

For the Utah Utes to have success this season, Moss must be at 100 percent. He is the leader on Offense and is the player that will dictate how far this team will go in 2019. The Utes open with BYU, Northern Illinois, and Idaho State so if Moss is out, Utah should fare well in those contests. Pac-12 play opens with a trip to USC, followed by Washington State coming to town and a trip to Corvallis to take on Oregon State, who were picked at the bottom of the Pac-12 North in the media poll and are slated to win two games this season.

The game against USC will tell the tale for Utah this season. With a win, the may have an early leg up on the Pac-12 South.

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