Colorado & Utah
Pac 12 South – The Newest teams to be added to Pac 12, are still proving that they belong and can handle the competition week in and week out . They have been in conference for four season thus far, last year was huge for Utah having their first nine win season with a 45-10 dismantling of Colorado State in Las Vegas Bowl. Colorado will have a goal this year to rack up some conference wins and build from there.
2015-2016
Colorado
Head Coach Mike MacIntyre is poised and ready for third season with the Buffaloes. He has record of 6-18 in his first 2 seasons.
The Buffaloes return 13 starters from last year team 5 Offensive, 8 Defensive & 32 underclassmen on its midseason two-deep last season. This should help with having few more guys with experience to step up. Players to watch QB Sefo Liufau 3,200 yards, 28 touchdowns pretty impressive stats. WR Nelson Spruce was Liufau main target having 1,198 yards, 12 touchdowns and is senior that will provide leadership on the field. CB Ken Crawley had few injuries but is primed to have breakout senior season. DT Josh Tupou is one of 34 players on the initial watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year. LB Addison Gillam will use his 6-3, 225 frame to bring pressure on the edges when called upon. New Comers will be their eight of 19 signees that were linemen, this will soon pay dividends winning game upfront.
The Buffaloes will have the opportunity to rack up some earlier non conference wins verse UMass, & Nicholls State. They also have the luxury of having home field advantage against Oregon, Stanford, & USC. In the end Liufau & Spruce will have some fun playing catch during the games nonetheless. Prediction: 6th in Pac 12 South.
Utah
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham a veteran entering his 11 season with the Utes, 85-43 record in 10 years.
The Utes return 18 starters from last year team 7 Offensive, 9 Defensive, kicker & punter. Players to watch QB Travis Wilson who was held out last year due to leg injury has the arm and experience to lead this team. RB Devontae Booker back for his senior season had 1,512 yards and on Heisman Trophy candidate. DE Hunter Dimick will not have to share the spotlight with last year counterpart who went to NFL. He was among NCAA best with 14.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season. LB Jared Norris who had 116 tackles last year and will have Utes will have all senior class at LB. CB Dominique Hatfield is now full time defender after converting from WR earlier last year, this Crenshaw HS loves playing in Los Angeles on the road. New Comers trio of JUCO (Junior College) transfer WR Deniko Carter 6-4, WR Kyle Fulks, & RB Joseph Williams. Normally these type players if scouted right can come right and fill a void faster than most freshman for quick jolt.
The Utes have set a road that can make them well known if they give Harbaugh’s Michigan their first loss to start the season. The rest of season is nicely laid out to obtain few more wins if their youthfulness doesn’t slow them down. Prediction: 5th in Pac 12 South, Cactus Bowl.
Next Pac 12 Outlook will be Pac 12 North, California & Stanford.
