This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The hype and anticipation is finally near its end. All eyes will be on Salt Lake City Thursday night as Jim Harbaugh, a near mythical figure since taking over at Michigan, will coach his first game in maize and blue. Unheralded compared with Haurbaugh-mania, the Utes will take the opposite sideline stocked with defensive talent and looking to make a mark on a big stage. Here's a position-by-position look at this week's matchup and which team will have the edge heading into Thursday's game:
Quarterback
Travis Wilson's final act in a Utah uniform brings stability under center, at least for this week. Wilson won the job in fall camp and will lead a Utah offense expected to be run-heavy behind Devontae Booker. The senior also has some solid weapons between Britain Covey's emergence and Bubba Poole's transition at the slot receiver spot, and the savvy of Kenneth Scott on the outside.
Fifth-year senior and Iowa transfer Jake Rudock was reportedly taking most of the first-team reps in camp, but Michigan's latest depth chart lists him as an "or" option alongside junior Shane Morris. Rudock was efficient at Iowa in 2014, passing for 2,436 yards along with 16 touchdowns to only five interceptions. Morris has thrown only 47 passes last season with zero touchdowns and three interceptions. Both have weapons to work with, including junior Jake Butt, who is projected to be one of the best tight ends in the nation this year. Still, whoever stars under center will be dealing with a ferocious Utah defensive line on the road, giving Wilson the edge here.
Edge: Utah
Running back
Devontae Booker had only 11 carries against Michigan for 34 yards in 2014. It's safe to assume he'll have a bit of a bigger role in this game. Booker was a revelation last season, rushing for 1,512 yards and scoring 12 total touchdowns. Michigan's defensive front is talented, but after being held out of contact drills in fall camp, Booker will be ready to hit early and often.
Junior De'Veon Smith is slated to be the primary running back, but Michigan has several options with Derrick Green up behind Smith and USC transfer Ty Isaac and Drake Johnson ready to play some kind of role. Smith rushed for 519 yards and six scores in 2014 and is a big, powerful runner, but the competition and rotation should still be open against Utah. Booker could run circles around any of the four, giving him the advantage.
Edge: Utah
Wide receivers and tight ends
Covey was one of the best stories in fall camp, making an immediate impact from the slot and in the return game. He's shifty and will platoon alongside Bubba Poole, who appears to be more confident playing at receiver with each practice. Kenneth Scott will be the key to this unit's success, however, needing to own the intermediate routes and to act as Wilson's security blanket. Siale Fakailoatonga and Evan Moeai will also contribute at tight end.
Michigan is light and inexperienced at the receiver position, but the aforementioned Butt will pick up the slack. The 6-foot-6, 248-pounder looks to breakout under Harbaugh after catching 21 passes for 211 yards and two scores last season. Elsewhere, the Wolverines will likely rely on redshirt freshman Drake Harris and true freshman Grant Perry to play big roles alongside the most experienced pass catchers in Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson. Both teams have questions at wide receiver, making this position a stalemate.
Edge: Even
Offensive line
Utah returns a bevy of experience and talent along the offensive line. Sam Tevi settled in at the left tackle spot, with a three juniors and a senior anchoring four of five starting positions. J.J. Dielman, Isaac Asiata and Siaosi Aiono will all be strengths and Andrew Albers, Jackson Barton and others provide valuable depth. The Utes should be able to protect Wilson and pave the way for Booker at will this year.
Michigan's offensive line, historically, has been a strength. But that's the problem: Recency trumps history. The Wolverines finished dead last in the Big Ten in total offense and were tied for 60th in the nation in surrendered tackles for loss last season largely because of struggles up front. Mason Cole started every game at left tackle as a freshman, with a likely starting five including him, Ben Braden, Graham Glasgow, Kyle Kalis and Erik Magnuson left to right on the line this season. Utah's depth and talent, plus Michigan facing the likes of Hunter Dimick makes the Utes the victor here.
Edge: Utah
Defensive line and linebackers
Another year, another ferocious Utah defensive front. Nate Orchard is gone, but Hunter Dimick will fill his shoes and is among the best preseason pass rushers nationwide. Jason Fanaika will anchor the other end spot, with the combo of Lowell Lotuleilei and Filipo Mokofisi a strength inside. At linebacker, the Utes host three talented seniors between Jared Norris, Gionni Paul and Jason Whittingham. This all goes without mentioning the depth provided by Kylie Fitts, Uaea Masina and Sunia Tauteoli. This is by far the biggest strength Utah has going into this game and the rest of the season.
Michigan's defense was strong last season, finishing seventh in the nation in total defense. The defense should be more versatile this season, with an experienced group of linebackers leading the way. Senior Joe Bolden had 102 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks, while Desmond Morgan and James Ross III are also seasoned. Defensive end Mario Ojemudia could be a force in the making at defensive end heading into his senior year.
Edge: Utah
Secondary
One of the biggest surprises of Utah's fall camp was the emergence of Cory Butler-Byrd, who seized the starting cornerback job vacated by Dominique Hatfield. Reggie Porter comes back after losing last season to injury and should be solid on the other side. Tevin Carter returns his experience and physicality at safety, with talent at nickel back and free safety. However, there are question marks and not a lot of depth, problems the Utes will hope pressure from the front seven can cover up.
Safety Jabrill Peppers is probably the most gifted athlete the Wolverines have, regardless of position. He missed most of last year to injury, but is quick, hard-hitting and can cover a large amount of ground. Jarrod Wilson will likely start at the other safety spot, with Jourdan Lewis a lock at one of the corner spots. The other corner positions are open, with Stanford graduate transfer Wayne Lyons likelt to contribute immediately. Overall, this is a wash for week one until both secondary units see game action.
Edge: Even
Prediction
Michigan is on the ascendance and will be a power under Harbaugh someday, but not on September 3rd in Salt Lake City. Utah's defensive line will wreak havoc on Rudock and the Rice-Eccles crowd will spur the Utes on to a 30-17 win.
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith