Utah quarterback Brian Johnson agrees with a recent story in The Sporting News that says the Utes are "the most talented non-BCS team" in the nation.

"I think that's a pretty valid assessment," he said. "I think we have a lot of talent."

Enough, he believes, to overcome a challenging schedule featuring non-league games against Oregon State, UCLA and Louisville, as well as conference dates at projected contenders TCU and BYU.

The magazine, however, predicts it's "not likely" Utah will prevail in enough of them to bust into the Bowl Championship Series.

"I think we have a schedule with a lot of opportunities to showcase our talent," Johnson said. "It is tough. It's going to be a difficult schedule, but I think once we get playing, we'll be a pretty tough team to beat."

The Utes didn't get a lot of respect in the Mountain West Conference's annual preseason media poll. They netted just two first-place votes and were picked to finish third overall, behind TCU and defending-champion BYU.

"I think it works into our favor," said Johnson, who noted that such polls are predicated on how teams fared the previous season. "It is what it is. I think we just have to use that as motivation coming into the season.

"We know what we have as a team. Our coaching staff knows what we have as a team," Johnson added. "So we just have to go out there and perform to the best of our abilities week in and week out."

The Utes, who open the season Aug. 30 at Oregon State, have 10 returning starters on offense. They also have five returnees on defense and kicker/punter Louie Sakoda, the MWC's Special Teams Player of the Year.

Other returning all-conference performers include wide receiver Brent Casteel and linebacker Joe Jiannoni. Offensive linemen Jason Boone and Robert Conley, defensive end Martail Burnett, kick returner Brice McCain, wide receiver Derrek Richards and safety Steve Tate were honorable mention honorees in 2006.

Johnson, who missed all of last season while recovering from knee surgery, was an all-conference honoree in 2005 after finishing fourth in the nation in total offense.

"It sparked a little fire to say we were picked third," said Johnson.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com