2006 Utah Utes Football Preview

Welcome to Maddux's 2006 Utah Utes season preview. As usual we have taken the time to break down the team, while providing information about the university, and the 2006 Utah Utes Football Schedule. If you are wagering on college football this season consider using Maddux Sports' College football picks for the added edge over the sportsbooks in 2006. In addition be sure to visit our college football odds line service for the upcoming season.

Coach: Kyle Whittingham (2nd year at Utah)
Team Name: Utes
2005 Overall Record: 6-5
2005 Mountain West Record 4-4
Returning Starters: 13

For coach Kyle Whittingham, his initial season leading the Utes included 3 close loses, a 6- 5 record and a sweet 38- 10 victory against Georgia Tech in the Emerald Bowl. This season the Utes, with a season of solid experience, are ready to breakthrough.

At quarterback, the team has two potential starters—senior signal caller Brett Ratliff and junior Brian Johnson (210 COMP, 330 ATT, 2,892 YDS, 18 TDs, 7 INTS). Johnson’s injury last season allowed Ratliff to shine against BYU and Georgia Tech, passing for 8 touchdowns and giving up only 1 interception. Ratliff will start.

Sophomore RB Darrell Mack will be the primary rusher, trying to fill the void left by 1,000-yard rusher Quinton Ganther. With 4 wide receivers, the offense includes senior Brian Hernandez (39 REC, 709 YDS, 3 TDs), junior Derrek Richards and sophomore Brent Casteel.

One of the best and most versatile players in the conference, Eric Weddle (4 sacks), leads the defense. Strong safety Casey Evans (89 tackles, 5 interceptions) will be invaluable in the secondary. The frontline is solid and the linebackers are a talented group.

This team is capable of yardage but must convert more red zone opportunities and cut down on turnovers. They open on the road against a tough UCLA team and in mid-season take on Boise State and TCU in successive weeks. Finishing against BYU will be a tough test.

Utah Utes 2006 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Sep 2	UCLA	Road
Sep 9	Northern Arizona	Home
Sep 16	Utah State	Road
Sep 23	San Diego State	Road
Sep 30	Boise State	Home
Oct 5	TCU	Home
Oct 14	Wyoming	Road
Oct 19	New Mexico	Road
Oct 28	UNLV	Home
Nov 11	Colorado State	Home
Nov 18	Air Force	Road
Nov 25	BYU	Home

 

For more data on the 2006 Utah football program, view the Utes team website or check out some more schools below.