In the USA Today college football preseason poll the Utah Utes are ranked 24th tied for the last spot in the top 25 poll with the West Virginia Mountaineers. In preseason sports betting on who will be the 2010 national champs the Utes odds are running 125-1. So why are they even in the top 25?
The Utes return Poinsettia Bowl MVP QB Jordan Wynn to lead their offense. Senior RB Eddie Wide, the MWC’s leading returning rusher, returns as well. The Utes are in the last year of their non AQ Mountain West run as next year they move to the Pac 10. The Utes return 8 starters on offense this season but only 4 returners on defense. In Wynn’s 5 starts the Utes averaged 37 points. They will need all that and more to overcome their schedule.
The Utes open at home versus Pitt and play on the road against Iowa State and Notre Dame. To get to a bowl game this year, the Utes also have to go through TCU who are ranked at 7 in this preseason poll. They will also have BYU for their last home game playing in the MWC. Sure to be a highly charged emotional game for both sides, it could be the deciding factor in the Utes post season hopes.
The Utes have their work cut out for them this season and the odds makers aren’t giving them a shot at the national championship. For their last year in the MWC, I’m going to give the Utes a 9-3 record. Respectable for their last year outside the BCS bubble. Next year, the Pac 10 awaits.
© photo credit: Bludgeoner86
