This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

While picking all-conference teams in mid-June lands somewhere between inexact science and dumb luck, preseason football magazines are out on the stands and have some predictions for fans to chew over until September.

Guru Phil Steele has placed eight Utes on preseason All Pac-12 teams, starring kicker Andy Phillips as his pick for 2016 Special Teams player of the Year.

He's not on an island when it comes to projecting big things for Utah's all-time leading scorer: Phillips, a three-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist, was also tabbed as a potential All-American by ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

Steele is betting big on Utah's defensive line: He also picked junior tackle Lowell Lotulelei and senior Kylie Fitts to make the Pac-12 first team. On his second team, Steele gave nods to offensive tackle J.J. Dielman (Pro Football Focus' top-graded returner for the Utes), offensive guard Isaac Asiata, defensive end Hunter Dimick, safety Marcus Williams and snapper (!) Chase Dominguez.

Lotulelei, Dielman and Williams made the All Pac-12 teams last year. Asiata and Phillips were honorable mentions.

Steele also projects the Utes to finish third in the Pac-12 South behind USC and UCLA.

Amazingly, we're still two weeks out from Watch List Season. The bulk of award watch lists will be announced over a two-week period starting with the Bednarik and Maxwell awards on July 5. It's reasonable to expect some of the same names popping up on award lists next month.

Other Utah-related items:

• Utah has http://www.utahutes.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/future-schedules.html";>scheduled a future football game with Weber State in 2021, set for Sept. 2 in Salt Lake City, so far the second time the teams are set to meet in the next six years. The Utes also have a non-conference game against the San Diego State Aztecs in San Diego on the 2021 slate.

• As many of you probably saw, the LeBron James-led Cavaliers knocked out Golden State to win the NBA Finals, meaning Utah alum Andrew Bogut didn't get his second ring. Some analysts point to his injury in Game 5 as http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/06/20/schmeelk-how-cavaliers-beat-warriors/";>one of the turning points of the series. As I mentioned last week, Bogut's injury will likely keep him from playing in the Olympics and therefore preclude him from playing the Pac-12 All-Stars next month. http://www.sltrib.com/home/4022351-155/utah-jazz-dante-exum-to-miss";>Fellow Australian Dante Exum will also be held out from international play, meaning we won't get a Exum-vs-Lorenzo Bonam match-up Down Under.

• Utah soccer signee and Skyline prep star Holly Daugirda http://www.utahutes.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/062016aad.html";>spent the last week in New Zealand for two matches with the US Soccer U19 team. She started in a 2-1 win against New Zealand U19, and a 4-4 tie with New Zealand U20. Daugirda, who was the Utah Gatorade Player of the Year last fall for the Eagles, is hoping to make a spot on the U20 team this fall for November tournament action — although the Utes probably hope she'll be occupied to help them make a postseason run.

•http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4023810-155/olympics-ute-divers-casillas-crayne-ready";> Two Utah divers were in the running for Team USA at the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, but came up a little short.https://secure.meetcontrol.com/divemeets/system/livestats.php?event=stats-3443-1120-1-Finished";> Jacob Crayne finished No. 27 in the 3-meter springboard event, while Amanda Casillas was scratched for her scheduled 10m platform competition.

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon