Utah Utes College Football Preview 2021: Defense
– The defense didn’t quite get back its mojo – it allowed more than 17 points twice in the first 12 games of the 2019 season and allowed 21 or more in seven straight games since – but it was hardly bad.
The Utes were third in the Pac-12 in scoring defense, No. 2 in scoring D, and was fantastic at coming up with third down stops, but …
– The mediocre: the secondary allowed 200 yards or more in every game. The good: it picked off seven passes and allowed just eight touchdowns. There’s all-star talent at corner with JaTravis Broughton back along with great-tackler Clark Phillips – the secondary will be among the Pac-12’s best.
Safety Vonte Davis tied for the team lead with two picks along with 16 tackles, but Nate Ritchie – the third-leading tackler with 28 stops – is gone on a Church mission.
– The linebacking corps should be a killer. Devin Lloyd is a big-hitting 232-pounder who led the team in tackles over the last two years, and second-leading tackler Nephi Sewell is a dangerous all-around playmaker. The solid size across the board should hold up just fine behind the very, very big defensive front.
The Utes were amazing against the run and should be again. Be stunned if 323-pound senior Viane Moala isn’t an all-star at one tackle spot, and the combination of Mike Tafua and Maxs Tupai on the ends are big, and they’re going to be a problem for the Pac-12.
– What You Need To Know: Offense
– Top Players | Keys To The Season
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Utah Football Schedule Analysis