Inexperience creates questions for usually tough Ute defense

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on before the start of their NCAA college football game against Colorado in Salt Lake City. The return of football isn't likely to make much of a dent in the losses athletic departments across the Pac-12 will ultimately incur because of the coronavirus pandemic. Faced with dramatic budget shortfalls, most schools in the league have already resorted to layoffs, furloughs, and cutting some sports entirely. At Utah, football coach Kyle Whittingham and men's basketball coach Larry Krystkowiak both took salary cuts to help offset up to $60 million in projected losses. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2019, file photo, Utah defensive end Mika Tafua (42) tackles California running back Christopher Brown Jr. (34) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Salt Lake City. Experience is in short supply on the Utah defense as it prepares to head into the pandemic-shortened season. The Utes return only two full-time starters – junior defensive end Tafua and junior linebacker Devin Lloyd – from a unit that took the Pac-12 by storm a year ago. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, file photo, Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) tackles Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Salt Lake City. Experience is in short supply on the Utah defense as it prepares to head into the pandemic-shortened season. The Utes return only two full-time starters – junior defensive end Mika Tafua and junior linebacker Lloyd – from a unit that took the Pac-12 by storm a year ago. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)