After a big win over Cal, the Arizona Football team (3-3, 2-1) continues Pac-12 play against the Utah Utes (3-2, 1-2) when they travel to Salt Lake City.
It was a must-win weekend in Tucson! With a chance to get things back on track, the Arizona Football team had another epic showdown with Cal, once again coming away victorious.
Against the Golden Bears, the Wildcats were sloppy, but at least they got a win. The offense by and large was limited at stagnant at times, but it was the Wildcats’ defense that came through to give Arizona the much-needed victory.
Arizona Wildcats
Despite the team still being a work in progress, they are improving week-to-week, especially on defense. As for the offense, who knows what’s going on behind the scenes or why Khalil Tate looks vastly different than his 2017 self.
Regardless, they are going to need more answers moving forward, and will now turn their attention turns towards a talented Utah team.
Already at the halfway point through the season, and this will easily be one of Arizona’s biggest tests so far.
The Utes are fresh off a throttling of then No. 14 Stanford and are flying high. They came into Palo Alto as four-point underdogs on Saturday, and left as 40-21 winners.
On Friday, they will return home where they have traditionally been difficult to beat, looking to dispatch Arizona for the second-straight season.
If Arizona is going to come away victorious, they are going to need a complete game, starting with the offense. Overall, this group needs more answers and stability and they’re going to need it fast!
It is worth noting, that through their first six games, the Wildcats are averaging just over 30 points per game, but keep in mind, that’s also including their 62-point performance against Division 1AA, Southern Utah.
However, if you were to adjust Arizona’s offensive production against the rest of their competition, they are averaging just 24 points per game. With the adjusted ranking, they would be tied for 101st in the country in scoring offense.
Offensively, their problems tend to persist essentially every where, but on the offensive line is where they have been particularly shaky.
So far this unit has given up six sacks and additionally, there have been concerns in moving the ball on the ground with consistency, especially in short-yardage situations. Also, we haven’t been shy in noting the inconsistent play of Tate.
Luckily, it has been the defense that has stepped as up of late. If the Wildcats are going to put themselves in a good position to win this week, they are going to need another gutty performance like they had against Cal!
With that said, here is our preview for week seven!
Know Thy Foe:
Team: Utah Utes (3-2, 1-2); won 40-21 over No. 14 Stanford last week in Palo Alto.
Conference: Pac-12 Conference
2017 Record: 7-6 (3-6); beat West Virginia 30-14 in the Cotton Bowl.
Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham is 114-58 (64-50) as head coach, and enters his 14th season with the Utes. Over his career, he has put together a consistent winner, building a solid program in Salt Lake. However, his biggest struggles have come in the Pac-12.
Since the conferences’ expansion, Whittingham is 56-38 (29-37) and has struggled against Arizona. His record versus the Wildcats in the Pac-12? Three wins, four losses. Nonetheless, he has another competitive squad in 2018.
Key Returners/ Starters: Offensively, the Utes have been playing a bit better of late, but have been wildly inconsistent at times. This group is largely led by junior quarterback, Tyler Huntley and junior running back, Zack Moss. The two have accounted for 14 of Utah’s offensive touchdowns.
In their group of wide receivers, the Utes likes to go to sophomore wide receiver Britain Covey who is an explosive football player, but has yet to find the end zone. In addition to Covey, Samson Nacua and Demari Simpkins have had their fair share of targets, but overall the Utes tend to distribute the ball well, with as many as 15 players registering at least one catch.
Defensively is where the Utes excel. So far in 2018, they are ranked 5th in the country! Linebackers Chase Hansen and Cody Barton lead a talented group and will challenge the Wildcats from sideline-to-sideline.
The Utes also have a ton of size and depth up front and will be tough to run against come Friday. Players like Bradlee Anae, Pita Tonga, Mika Tafua and Leki Fotu are some big bodies to give Arizona some tough match-ups.
Their secondary is also quite stout, holding opposing defenses to just 181 yards per game. Guys like Corrion Ballard, Julian Blackmon and Javelin Guidry make it difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
Key Injuries/ Missing Players:
Arizona: (According to SportsReference)
OL- Nathan Eldridge (out for season).
OL- Alex Kosinski still out.
DL- Justin Belknap is done for the year.
CB- Jace Whittaker didn’t suit up for the third straight game and it’s unclear if he will play vs Utah.
DE/LB- Jalen Cochran is nursing an arm injury and could miss the game with Utah.
RB- Darrius Smith has been dealing with a foot injury and is questionable versus Utah.
Utah:
Johnny Capra has been out and will miss the remainder of the 2018 season.
Devonta’e Henry-Cole is recovering from surgery and will miss the rest of 2018.
Game Information:
When: Friday, October 12th, 2018
Time: 7:00 PM PST – ESPN
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium (Salt Lake City, UT)
Spread: -14 Utah
Overall Series Record: 22-19-2 Utah
Last Meeting vs. Arizona: Utah has won the last two contests, with the last match-up coming in a close 30-24 battle that nearly saw an Arizona comeback.
Our Prediction: Utah 27 Arizona 17. Utah is going to be a tough game to win. They are a very sound football team and will challenge the Wildcats in this one.
Utah doesn’t have a prolific offense by any means, but they can get the job done, and really got things going against Stanford. Perhaps this was what they needed to jump start their offense?
I do think the Wildcats will be able to do some things, but the difference here is Arizona’s offense which has been struggling and Utah’s stout defense. For all of Arizona’s offensive troubles this season, this won’t be an easy one to try and get back on track.
Also, playing in Salt Lake will prove to be too difficult, and even though the Wildcats have been playing tough of recent, I don’t see them pulling this one out, especially with Utah coming off their impressive win. Arizona doesn’t allow Utah to cover the spread, but still comes up shorthanded in what will be a close battle.
Listen to the Wildcats’ press conference following their win over Cal:
Hopefully the Wildcats can prove us wrong, but this is going to be a tough one here! Bear Down, Arizona and beat the Utes!