Daily Links: Utes have 'turned the corner'; on the rise as a Pac-12 South 'contender'


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SALT LAKE CITY — Fall camp is just over a week away and the Utes are getting some praise from around the country. The following are some stories around the web about the Utes and how others are viewing their upcoming season.

Beavers see Utah as a "contender" in the Pac-12 South

With a familiar coaching staff up at Oregon State there's probably no other team that knows more about Utah than Gary Andersen and Kalani Sitake. The two teams meet on Halloween this year and it's likely to be a spirited game.

The Statesman Journal says: "Utah figures to be a contender in the Pac-12 South."

Are the Utes primed for Pac-12 success?

The Orlando Sentinel sees Utah as the 33rd best team in the country — a much-improved position from its rank of 101 last season.

"After a bumpy Pac-12 entry, Utah appears to have turned the corner. The Utes have the ingredients for a bowl bid, but they have to improve in every area and deliver flawless performances to make a Pac-12 title run."

Utah winning the Pac-12 South?

The Utes are getting a lot of praise from SB Nation's California Golden Blogs, with one writer believing the Utah will win the Pac-12 South.

"I think that Utah has a lot of continuity going forward, and that makes them a prime contender."

Punters are people, too, mate. And bacon is still delicious.

He may be the most interesting man on the field. I mean, who really sees themselves kicking bacon down the field as a career. Fortunately for Utah, punter Tom Hackett is the right man for the job, and he's also the most important player on the team, according to ESPN Pac-12 Blog's Kevin Gemmell.

"The guy is a game-changer without necessarily realizing how much he impacts the game. If you didn't get a chance to appreciate what he did last season, start now."

Utah's ultimate family man

Former Ute and now grad assistant Sione Po'uha gave up his NFL career early, despite having the talent to continue for years. But for Po'uha, it's always been about his family and what he can do for them. Speaking to the Deseret News, Po'uha said he's "blessed" to have his family and the support they've given him over the years.

"Po'uha noted that they followed him during his playing career and now it's his turn to follow them. Trips to the water park, eating meals together, watching movies and coaching up the youngsters in little league rugby and girls soccer are among the things that he professes to 'loving every minute' doing."

I think that Utah has a lot of continuity going forward, and that makes them a prime contender.

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Josh Furlong

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