Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham walks onto the sphere previous to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Information
The expectations are excessive for the Utah soccer staff going into the 2022 season.
The Utes are seen as a possible high 10 staff heading into the yr, and a few specialists are even calling for Utah to be a School Soccer Playoff candidate.
That comes with the territory for a Utah program that’s established itself because the staff to beat within the Pac-12 and is coming off one of many Utes’ finest seasons ever.
Whereas that leaves little questioning whether or not the Utes will flourish once more underneath coach Kyle Whittingham in 2022, although there are some questions that may’t be answered till the season begins.
CBS Sports activities’ Shehan Jeyarajah addressed one among them when he requested what the most important query is surrounding every Pac-12 program with spring camp upon us.
What's it for Utah?
How will the Utes deal with being the hunted?
For the primary time since coming into the Pac-12, the Utes are defending convention champions. That may include its personal set of expectations.
“Utah coach Kyle Whittingham lastly obtained his elusive first Pac-12 championship in 2021, because the Utes shocked Oregon twice to earn their first-ever journey to the Rose Bowl. With a number of key starters again from the championship staff, Utah is a well-liked choose to compete for a playoff spot,” Jayarajah wrote.
It’s extra than simply being the defending champions, although. Utah returns a very good quantity of expertise, even with stars like Devin Lloyd and Britain Covey, amongst others, leaving to pursue a professional profession.
On offense, the Utes return quarterback Cam Rising, working again Tavion Thomas and tight ends Brant Kuithe and Dalton Kincaid, whereas defensively Utah has cornerback Clark Phillips III, security Cole Bishop and defensive linemen Devin Kaufusi and Van Fillinger again.
They’ll assist Utah this season because it enters 2022 with the Pac-12 goal on its again.
“Coming off this system’s first top-15 end since becoming a member of the Pac-12, Utah now faces a brand new problem of being the hunted as an alternative of being the hunter,” Jayarajah wrote.
“Whittingham did lead Utah to a few straight 10-win seasons and an undefeated Sugar Bowl champion season within the Mountain West, however teaching duels with (USC coach Lincoln) Riley, (Arizona State coach Herm) Edwards and (UCLA coach Chip) Kelly will present a unique problem. Instilling a assured mindset heading into 2022 is essential. The Utes don't have any time to waste with Florida on the schedule in Week 1.”