Andy Staples over at Sports Illustrated has published his top-25 for the upcoming season and Utah makes an appearance at 25th nationally. 

25

Utah Utes 2010 record: 10-3 (7-1 Mountain West) Returning starters: 11 (six offense, five defense)

Key returnees: QB Jordan Wynn, WR DeVonte Christopher, OT Tony Bergstrom, LB Brian Blechen

 

 

Spring star: DT Star Lotulelei

 

Spring recap: Offensive coordinator Norm Chow has returned to his alma mater, but will he return to the kind of offensive production he inspired at USC at the turn of this century? He has a solid quarterback in Jordan Wynn -- who missed spring practice after shoulder surgery -- and two good receivers in DeVonte Christopher and Reggie Dunn, so that's a good start. Head coach Kyle Whittingham will make sure the Utes stay solid on defense, but it will be interesting to see if the newest member of college football's elite club has the depth to stay consistent against an AQ-conference schedule.

Their ranking puts them just behind Arizona State (23rd) in the Pac-12 South, suggesting again the Utes should be favored to contend for a spot in the inaugural Pac-12 Conference Championship Game.