You may think the bright afterglow of the Utes’ spanking of Alabama in last year’s Sugar Bowl was a precursor to a dimming of the program’s fortunes, but you would be dead wrong. The Utes have a whole lot of talent returning, and if either Corbin Louks or junior college import Terrance Cain can grab the starting quarterback job, there’s no reason Utah can’t roll through the Mountain West once again.

It may be asking too much for another BCS bid and a burst of legislative anger over the inequities of the bowl system, especially with a game at Oregon, but the Utes will be good. Their defense returns a ton of talent, especially along the front seven. Running back Matt Asiata has the burst and power to gain 1,000 yards, if he can keep a pack of worthy competitors off the field. Utah lost a bunch of receivers, but the newcomers may be even better.