2021 Utah Utes Preview and Predictions

(Photo Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)

Key Players Returning:

WR Britain Covey, TE Brant Kuithe, OG Braeden Daniels, OG Sataoa Laumea, OT Simi Moala, DE Bradley Anae, DE Mika Tafua, DT Hauati Pututau, DT Tennessee Pututau, LB Devin Lloyd, LB Nephi Sewell, CB JaTravis Broughton, CB Clark Phillips, NB Malone Mataele, FS Vonte Davis, KR/PR Britain Covey, and PK Jadon Redding.

Key Players Departing:

QB Jake Bentley, OC Orlando Umana, and PT Ben Lennon.

Top 10 Recruits:

4 Star Recruits: 
LB Ethan Calvert (Westlake Village, California), LB Josh Calvert (Washington transfer), QB Peter Costelli (Mission Viejo, California), S Brandon McKinney (Washington transfer), LB Mason Tufaga (Honolulu, Hawaii), and RB Ricky Parks (Tampa, Florida).

3 Star Recruits:  TE Isaac Vaha (Pleasant Grove, Utah), WR Munir McClain (USC transfer), WR Makai Cope (Culver City, California), and DT Tevita Fotu (Ephraim, Utah).

2020 Results:

G01  #20 USC  L  17-33
G02  at Washington  L  21-24
G03  OREGON STATE  W  30-24
G04  at #21 Colorado  W  38-21
G05  WASHINGTON STATE  W  45-28

Team Info:

2020 Record:  3-2 (3rd in PAC-12 South)

Home:  2-1
Away:  1-1
Neutral:  0-0
P12:  3-2
Non-P12:  0-0

Head Coach:  Kyle Whittingham

Utah:  134-66
Career:  134-66
Bowls:  11-3

Returning Statistical Leaders:

Passing:  Cameron Rising (3-6, 45 yards, 50.0%, 7.5 avg., 0 TD, 1 INT)
Rushing:  Micah Bernard (15 car., 76 yards, 5.1 avg., 0 TD)
Receiving:  Brant Kuithe (25 rec., 236 yards, 9.4 avg., 0 TD)
TD’s Scored:  Britain Covey (4)
Sacks:  Mika Tafua (3)
Interceptions:  Vonte Davis/Nephi Sewell (2)
Pass Deflections:  Ja’Travis Broughton (4)
Tackles For Loss:  Devin Lloyd (10)
Forced Fumbles:  7 Tied (1)
Kick Returns:  Britain Covey (4 ret., 113 yards, 28.3 avg., 0 TD)
Punt Returns:  Britain Covey (8 ret., 129 yards, 16.1 avg., 1 TD)
Kickers:  Jadon Redding (8-8 fg/fga., 100%, 17-17 xp/xpa., 41 pts.)
Punters:  None

Projected Offensive Starters:

QB:  12  Charlie Brewer  (GR/TR)
RB:  2  Micah Bernard  (RS FR)
WR:  1  Theo Howard  (GR/TR)
WR:  21  Soloman Enis  (JR)
WR:  18  Britain Covery  (RS JR)
TE:  89  Cole Fotheringham  (JR)
LT:  77  Barnidele Olaseni  (RS JR/TR)
LG:  71  Braeden Daniels  (RS SO)
OC:  55  Nick Ford  (RS JR)
RG:  78  Sataoa Laumea  (RS FR)
RT:  69  Simi Moala  (RS SO)
KR:  18  Britain Covey  (RS JR)
PK:  97  Jadon Redding  (SO)

Projected Defensive Starters:

DE:  42  Mika Tafua  (RS JR)
DT:  98  Viane Moala  (RS SR/TR)
DT:  41  Hauati Pututau  (RS SR)
DE:  7  Van Pututau  (RS SR)
LB:  1  Nephi Sewell  (RS JR/TR)
LB:  00  Devin Lloyd  (RS JR)
NB:  15  Malone Mataele  (RS SO)
CB:  4  JaTravis Broughton  (SO)
CB:  8  Clark Phillips  (FR)
FS:  9  Vonte Davis  (SR/TR)
SS:  28  Brandon McKinney  (GR/TR)
PR:  18  Britain Covey  (RS JR)
PT:  33  Cameron Peasley  (FR)

Team Grades:

Offense

Quarterbacks:  B
Running Backs:  C
Wide Receivers:  C
Offensive Line:  A

Defense

Defensive Line:  B
Linebackers:  A
Secondary:  B

Special Teams

Kick Returners:  A
Punt Returners:  A
Kickers:  A
Punters:  C

Schedule:

09/02 
WEBER STATE WILDCATS  |  Utah leads the series 4-0.  The Utes won (70-7) the last meeting between schools in 2013.

09/11  at BYU COUGARS  |  Utah leads the series 59-31-4.  The Utes are 8-0 since 2011, and they won (30-12) the last meeting between schools in 2019.

09/18  at San Diego State Aztecs  |  Utah leads the series 17-12-1.  The Utes won (38-34) the last meeting between schools in 2010.

09/25  WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS  |  The series is tied 9-9.  The Utes are 4-4 since 2011, and their last series loss (24-28) was in 2018.

10/09  at USC Trojans  |  Utah trails the series 6-13.  The Utes are 3-7 since 2011, and their last series win (41-28) was in 2018.

10/16  ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS  |  Utah trails the series 9-22.  The Utes are 3-6 since 2011, and they won (21-3) the last meeting between schools in 2019.

10/23  at Oregon State Beavers  |  The series is tied 11-11-1.  The Utes are 6-2 since 2011, and their last series loss (48-51) was in 2013.

10/30  UCLA BRUINS  |  Utah trails the series 7-11.  The Utes are 6-3 since 2011, and their last series loss (9-17) was in 2015.

11/05  Stanford Cardinal  |  Utah leads the series 5-4.  The Utes are 3-1 since renewing the series in 2013, and they won (40-21) the last meeting between schools in 2018.

11/13  at Arizona Wildcats  |  Utah leads the series 24-19-2.  The Utes are 5-4 since 2011, and they won (35-7) the last meeting between schools in 2019.

11/20  OREGON DUCKS  |  Utah trails the series 10-23.  The Utes are 2-5 since 2011, and they lost (15-37) the last meeting between schools in 2019.

11/26  COLORADO BUFFALOES  |  The series is tied 32-32-3.  The Utes are 8-2 since 2011, and their last series loss (22-27) was in 2016.

Predictions:

Home:  6-0
Away:  6-0
Neutral:  1-0
P12:  9-0
Non-P12:  4-0

Overall:  13-0 (PAC-12 Champions)