UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: Utah Utes
Utah Offense
Utah has always had a solid offense, though it has never quite stood out as elite or dominating. That might have to change this season as the defense will be a shell of its 2017 self.
The Utes return several key figures on offense and add a few notable players to keep things afloat, so there will be some consistency on that side of the ball.
At quarterback, Tyler Huntley returns with several weapons at his disposal, but can he build off last season which was average, at best. He threw for 2,411 yards, averaged 241.1 yards per game (7th in the Pac-12), had 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. That won’t exactly light the world on fire so things have to change in 2018.
Utah 2017 Offensive Stats
| Total Offense | Passing Offense | Rushing Offense | Scoring Offense |
|---|---|---|---|
| 413.4 (8th) | 249.4 (7th) | 164.0 (7th) | 29.5 (9th) |
( ) – denotes ranking in the TEAM CONFERENCE
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Luckily he will have some help on all sides. At running back, Zack Moss returns to help out the ground attack. He had several impressive games and topped 1,000 yards as he ran for 90.2 yards per game. He should be able to duplicate that, if not extended it as the offensive line returns four of their five starters.
The receiving corps lose their top two most productive players from last season as Darren Carrington III has moved on and Raelon Singleton transferred. Still, Siaosi Wilson will be a top target as well as playmaker Britain Covey who returns from a two-year mission. If they can mesh with Huntly sooner than later, the passing game could improve.
So how does UCLA stop this defense? Well, it seems they have a lot of holes in their game, so its head-scratching to know they Utes put up 48 points on the Bruins last season. The thing is, this is not the same UCLA defense. They will be very active and aggressive and should attack the Utes from all sides. If they can disrupt Utah’s game, they will limit the points they put up (obviosuly). But that is easier said than done.