Arizona Football: Wildcats kick-off Pac-12 play vs Utah

Now into week four of the 2017 season, the Arizona Football team (2-1) opens Pac-12 play versus the No. 23 Utah Utes (3-0) at home this Friday.

A tough early on test for Arizona Football, as the No. 23 ranked Utah Utes come into to Tucson to kick-off Pac-12 play.

The Wildcats (2-1) are looking to make their presence felt, after many experts have them finishing in last place of the Pac-12 South this year.

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Disregard Arizona’s big win in El Paso last week, as the Wildcats will have a much tougher time this week against a talented Utah squad. At 3-0 on the season, the Utes are very good on paper, and are led by their athletic, mobile quarterback, Tyler Huntley.

Doing it on both sides of the football, Utah comes into this one favored, and perhaps for good reason. So far, they have outscored opponents 110-45, with their most recent drubbing coming against San Jose State.

Potentially the few things going in Arizona’s favor? Junior quarterback Brandon Dawkins arguably played his best game as a Wildcat last week, and maybe that momentum carries into this week! Also, the Wildcats are 4-1 versus Utah under head coach Rich Rodriguez, and lastly, Arizona has one day off extra compared to the Utes.

Know Thy Foe:

Team: Utah (3-0); last game they beat SJSU 54-16

Conference: Pac-12

2016 Record: 9-4 (5-4); beat Indiana 26-24 in the Foster Farms Bowl.

Last Meeting vs Arizona: Beat Arizona 36-23 in Salt Lake City, UT

Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham 107-50; 13th season with Utah

Key Returners/ Starters: QB Tyler Huntley, runningback Zack Moss, graduate transfer and leading receiver Darren Carrington II, senior linebacker Sunia Tauteoli, safety Chase Hansen (although he could miss time this week due to injury), and defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei (brother of NFL Defensive Lineman, Star Lotulelei).

Game Information:

When: Friday, September 22nd, 2017

Time: 7:30 PM MST

Where: Arizona Stadium (Tucson, AZ)

Spread: -3.5 Utah

Overall Series Record: 21-19-2 Utah. The Utes won the showdown between these two teams last year, marking the first time the Utes have beaten Arizona since joining the Pac-12.

Our Prediction: Utah 34 Arizona 28. This should be a close one. Personally, I think Arizona has the talent to beat Utah, but a lot will be contingent on how much they can slow down the dangerous duo of Carrington and Huntley, and how efficiently Arizona can move the football on offense.

Last week was a great week, however, Utah is far more talented, and with a stout run defense, we don’t expect Arizona to have quite the same successes in running the football. Also, we anticipate the young, Wildcats’ defense to have some difficulties in containing the versatile Huntley running the Utes’ offense.

Listen to the team speak, as they prep for Friday’s game versus the Utes.

This week the Wildcats will be wearing all blue! Show up, wear blue, be loud, Bear Down and Beat the Utes!

Must Read: More on Arizona Football

At Zona Zealots, we’re excited for the game, and hope the Wildcats can pull off the upset in this one! If they’re going to surprise some people this year, it needs to happen starting this week! Bear Down, Arizona!