Utah Utes football: 5 points to ponder

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah coach Kyle Whittingham isn't looking past his team's final year in the Mountain West Conference. Players report for camp Wednesday and all focus is on the upcoming season.

Whittingham said any more questions about the Utes joining the Pac-12 in 2011 are on hold until the campaign is complete. Reporters were notified of the policy via e-mail last Friday.

"Effective immediately," read the communiqué from the school's sports information department. "Coach Whittingham will not make any further comments regarding Utah's move to the Pac-10 until the season is over."

Offensive lineman Zane Taylor and cornerback Brandon Burton, who represented the Utes at MWC Media Day last week in Las Vegas, took a similar stance after fielding dozens of questions about the impending conference switch.

"Right when I get back home it's all about 2010," Burton said. "I'm back lifting, running and getting ready for camp to start."

It's serious business for the Utes. Practices begin Thursday with the first two-a-day set for Aug. 11. Scrimmages are slated for Aug. 12, 17 and 21.

Utah's season opener is Sept. 2 at Rice-Eccles Stadium against Pittsburgh.

Between now and then, the Utes have a few other questions — and then some — to answer:

1. How will quarterback Jordan Wynn fare as a sophomore?

If all goes as planned, Wynn is expected to build on last year's Poinsettia Bowl MVP performance. He threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns in Utah's 37-27 victory over Cal.

Whittingham said Wynn has many of the same qualities as past stars Alex Smith and Brian Johnson.

Senior Terrance Cain, who is 7-1 as the starter, enters camp as the backup with redshirt freshman Griff Robles manning the No. 3 spot. Cain and Robles will compete for time in certain packages.

2. Will the Utes be able to find three new starting linebackers?

"We feel we have six or seven guys that we really like," Whittingham said.

The candidates include juniors J.J. Williams and Jamel King at rover; juniors Matt Martinez and Chaz Walker, plus sophomore Boo Andersen, in the middle; and senior Chad Manis at stud along with freshman V.J. Fehoko.