Utah Utes Preseason Predictions: Part 2

In case you missed part 1, click here to visit it. Just a reminder, I had Utah going 5-1 in the first six games of the season. This post will be the rest of the season, starting with game 7 against Arizona State.

Game 7 - ASU

Utah's defense struggled last year against ASU through the air. The top two returning receivers for the Sundevils had huge games against Utah. If Utah wants to try to keep up with USC this year in the Pac-12 South a win will be necessary, which means better lock-down defense on the perimeter and in the secondary.

Utah's defensive line abused ASU's line last year sacking QB Manny Wilkins 11 times and only allowing 41 total rushing yards. Utah's offensive line was just as dominant as Troy was only sacked once and Joe Williams had a huge game with 181 rushing yards on only 15 carries. I expect that to be a lot of the same this year as these two teams face off. Utah is more talented and now that fall camp has started, Utah's coaches think this secondary might be better than last year's. Utah should win, but it could be close if the secondary gives up big chunk plays.

Game 8 - @ Oregon

Utah players and coaches had better have this game circled. Utah self-destructed late in the game last year and lost to a far inferior Oregon team. The receiver that caught the touchdown, Darren Carrington, is now playing for Utah, so he won't be there for the late-game heroics in green.

Oregon's QB Justin Herbert is back and played incredibly well when he started, but the team didn't win many games. Against Utah, he had four total touchdowns. I don't think coach Whittingham will allow the team to lose to these guys two years in a row, even if the game is in Eugene. I don't expect another blowout like two years ago, but I think Utah can beat them. With Troy Taylor's offense, Utah should be able to throw more effectively, which will open up the running game that will be improved also.

Game 9 - UCLA

Joe Williams ran wild on the Bruins last year, but Utah needed it to win by only seven points. Utah scored fast and often over and over which left the defense on the field for a big portion of the game and UCLA's Mike Fafaul threw 70 passes to wear down the defense.

Utah won't score as quick or as often in this year's version of this game. The defense will have more rest which will lead to less scoring for UCLA also. Josh Rosen is still at UCLA also and will likely be the starter. I think that plays into the hands of Utah. Rosen has great mechanics, but lacks something that puts him elite like Darnold in my book. Rosen also takes a ton of sacks, which also plays into the hands of Utah's strength.

I think Utah wins in a close one. This could be like the USC game last year for Utah fans. It could come down to the final drive.

Game 10 - Washington State

Utah hasn't faced Washington State since the 2014 campaign. Both teams are vastly different now though. This game is interesting because it fit in anywhere from an interception battle to a touchdown fest. Both teams have a ton of potential and speed. Washington State flexes a very pass heavy offense that works exceptionally well with QB Luke Falk.

Utah will be improved on offense, but I'm not sure if it will be able to overcome the November curse. Utah's defense could make this game interesting by getting takeaways, but if Wazzu gets going through the air, it might not be pretty.

I've got Utah losing in an upset to Washington State. The November curse will stay alive for at least one more year.

                             Game 11 - @ Washington

If there was a coach I disliked as much as Nick Saban, it would be Chris Petersen. Petersen is an incredibly good coach, and I hate that I am admitting it right now. Washington is probably the team I would cheer for in the Pac-12 if Utah wasn't in it, but with Petersen at the helm, I don't know if that would be easy.

This will probably be a game that could end up 3-0 in overtime or something with the defenses that are going to be facing off. Washington's passing offense will take a step back this year, but with this game being played in November, it probably will have figured itself out by this point. RB Myles Gaskin could be a force to be reckoned with if Washington can figure out its passing game also.

Utah's offense will struggle to move against Washington, but could sneak a couple of scores here and there, but I don't know if Utah's defense will be able to be on the field as often as I'm expecting in this game and stay fresh enough to keep Washington out of the end zone.

Unfortunately, I think Utah will be run by Washington after this and last week's games. Stupid November.

                      Game 12 - Colorado
At this point, Utah will just be hoping to finish its season with a win. Colorado should have their feet beneath them at this point after Sefo Liufau graduated, but Sophomore QB Steven Montez got valuable time on the field last year. Utah's defense will have to deal with both Montez and returning senior RB Phillip Lindsay.

Utah QB Troy Williams better be prepared for this one as he struggled against Colorado last year. I think this might be the game he has circled on his calendar. I think Troy will have one of his best games of his career in this one and it will be enough to give Utah the win.

Utah's defense will also be able to stop Colorado often. Utah should win by a few scores.

Well, there you go, I've got Utah going 9-3 on the season. I could see Utah sneaking past Washington State, but it might be because UCLA beat them, which still leaves the record at 9-3. That should be good enough to get Utah in the top three of the Pac-12 South. That would give Utah a pretty good bowl game, which I might be able to preview better at that point because I'll have some time during the Christmas break.