Utes get preseason honors

The University of Utah has five players honored as preseason All-Mountain West by CollegeFootballNews.com. The Web site lists Ute quarterback Brian Johnson as the MWC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Meanwhile, defensive back Eric Weddle gets the nod as MWC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Joining Johnson and Weddle on the All-MWC first team are wide receiver Brian Hernandez, offensive lineman Tavo Tupola and linebacker Casey Evans.

Offensive lineman Jason Boone and defensive lineman Kelly Talavou were both named to the Preseason All-MWC Second Team.

The Web site also listed its top 30 players in the Mountain West Conference. Weddle earned the top spot on the list, while Johnson came in at No. 3. Also on the list from Utah were Evans (No. 21), quarterback Brett Ratliff (No. 24) and Tupola (No. 28).

Utah also has garnered a No. 15 preseason ranking from Lindy's Sports Annuals, which released its 2006 national college football preview recently. The publication proclaims that Utah is "this season's designated BCS buster." Lindy's says the Utes "are on the verge of becoming BCS regulars." In addition to the national ranking, Lindy's predicts Utah to win the Mountain West Conference.