Kyle Whittingham probably would be insulted if an opposing coach failed to use “physical” in describing his Utah football team.
Sure enough, Northern Illinois' Rod Carey chose that word this week, but only after starting his analysis with a compliment that Whittingham really craves: “They're fast.”
That's the element the Utes have sought in this decade, ever since Pac-12 membership required an upgrade in talent. Utah moved to the Power Five level of college football with interior linemen who could match up well with other teams, but lacked speed on the perimeter and throughout the defense.
The Utes are much faster now, and that's the biggest difference between them and a Group of Five program such as Northern Illinois, their opponent Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill.