Urban Meyer’s Takeaway From Utah Practice? They’ll Win The Pac-12

LOS ANGELES, California – Former Utah football head coach Urban Meyer said he was confident the Utes will win the Pac-12 conference. He came to that answer after watching the team practice last week.

“I’m going with Utah,” said Meyer.

Meyer was on a Fox Sports roundtable discussion with former college football greats, Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), Reggie Bush (USC), and Matt Leinart (USC). The conversation surrounded the topic of who would stand above the rest and win the Pac-12 in the upcoming season.

Meyer had multiple reasons for selecting his former Fiesta Bowl Champion team.

First, was his opinion of current Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham who he called, “one of the top five coaches in America.”

Second, was something he saw in a practice he attended “on the Hill” last week.

“I went and watched them practice a couple of days ago and the thing I noticed – first offensive skill and defensive skill – in the Pac-12 (they) are as good as anybody,” Meyer continued. “The difference I’ve noticed the last two years after studying the Pac-12 is the offensive and defensive lines. Back when USC was dominating the country, it’s not just the skill it’s because they had tremendous lineman. Utah looks big. They look thick. They got those Polynesian cats now. I look for Utah to win the Pac-12.”

Matt Leinart Agreed

Former National Champion, Heisman Trophy Winner, and USC quarterback Matt Leinart echoed similar sentiments on the broadcast.

“I like Utah as well, coach. I think defense and special teams has always been the calling card there. They’ve got a great home-field advantage,” said Leinart. “I think this is the year maybe the offense catches up with the defense because you remember Sack Lake City, all of the defensive front… their offense is going to score a lot of points this year. Plus the Pac-12 South is just down. I think they are the best team by far in that division.”

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Matt Leinart continued with some high praise for Utah’s starting quarterback and running back.

“For me, it’s really offensively with Zack Moss back after an injury. He rushed for 1,000 yards last year. Tyler Huntley, I believe was 6-3 as a starter before he went down and was really finding his groove, a great leader for this football team.”

Leinart isn’t the only other college football analyst to pick Utah, Pac-12 Network Analyst, Yogi Roth thinks things line up nicely for the team in 2019 as well.

Pac-12 Champion favorites and #CFBPlayoff contender? Our @YogiRoth likes to think so.@Utah_Football has its eyes on the prize for the #Pac12FB season. 🙌

Visit https://t.co/OFCz2sHztd to learn how to watch all the action during Football Kickoff Week. pic.twitter.com/OGym9fW83N

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) August 25, 2019

Meyer Has Love For Utah

Meyer carries a fondness for the Utes. Recently, he stated the 2004 team that he oversaw was one of his favorite teams to coach.

.@GottliebShow: Is there one year when you look back that was more enjoyable?@OSUCoachMeyer: When I look back and see what we did at a non-BCS school… That team [Utah] on any given day could beat anybody. pic.twitter.com/XrcpjeuYNM

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 23, 2019

In his two seasons with the Utes, Meyer held a 22-2 record and a 13-1 record in conference play. Those seasons included an undefeated season in 2004 and the first time that a non-BCS school won a BCS Bowl Game.

“I was just back at Utah and saw Kyle Whittingham and some of my old players,” Meyer said. “I told the team that when I look back at what we did as a non-BCS school and that 2004 season was as enjoyable as I have ever had. We didn’t win a national championship, but I still believe to this day that team can beat any team on any given day. Our closest game was 21 points.”

First Up, BYU

Will 2019 be the year for the Utes? The journey begins with their first game Thursday, August 29 at BYU. They begin conference play Friday, September 20 on the road at USC.

Meyer thinks 2019 will be the Utes season.

“This is a huge year for the Pac-12. Something has to happen.”