CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Utah preview

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Utah Utes

The only thing they have to fear is themselves

College Football: The New Century

'99: 9-3, 5-2 Mountain West

Coach

Ron McBride (11th season, 71-46)

Key offensive players

T.D. Croshaw, QB, Sr.
Drop-back passer is just as good as Darnell Arceneaux, and more resilient.

Steve Smith, WR, Sr.
Great speed and hands, and ranked fifth in nation in kick returns in '99.

Sam White, OG, Sr.
Entering his fourth year as starter, 300-pounder anchors a strong line.

Key defensive players

Kautai Olevao, LB, Sr.
All-MWC player could be even better now that leg injury has healed.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Scott Mitchell, QB, 1987-89
"Had the best passing season (4,322 yards, 1988) in WAC history by anyone not from BYU."

Brightest Moment: Winning the 1994 Freedom Bowl to cap the best season in school history at 10-2. The Utes finished the year ranked 10th in the AP Top 25.

Lowest Moment: Hiring coach Tom Lovat, who turned the Utes from a team that had winning seasons four times in five years to one that produced back-to-back 1-10 seasons in 1974 and 1975. Lovat was finally fired after going 3-8 in 1976.

Andre Dyson, CB, Sr.
Coaches believe he can be the "best cover guy in the conference."

Key newcomer

Dameon Hunter, RB, Jr.
With workhorse Mike Anderson gone, the Utes need him or Adam Tate to help carry the load.

Throwback player

Center Steve McKane is coming off his first healthy spring practice as a Ute.

21st century player

Quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, who can make something out of nothing with his spectacular scrambling ability.

Fast fact

The Utes have beaten rival BYU five of the last seven years -- including four straight in Provo.

Outlook

Almost everything looks good for the Utes, which means something is likely to go bad. The Utes have never won a conference title outright under McBride, and they have developed a nasty habit of giving games away and losing to teams they should beat. Nevertheless, only months after wondering about his job security after a second straight loss to Boise State, McBride spent the summer renegotiating his contract and trying to decide between quarterbacks Croshaw and Arceneaux. Either way, the Utes appear to have all the tools necessary to contend for the crown, if they can keep from tripping over their own feet along the way.

--Michael C. Lewis