Well, now that another big game has arrived for Utah, we should learn something about them. Now that the first game AFTER USC has arrived for Oregon State, we should learn something about them.
Utah has had two different styles of play this season: we are for real, and cruise control. Oregon State has displayed two different offenses in their various games this season: let's set a record for most passes in a game, and let's set a record for most rushes in a game. In the biggest games of their seasons so far the results have been similar: get a lead in the first half and cling on to it in the second. Utah led at Michigan 22-10 at the half before being outscored 13-3 in the second half. Oregon State shutout USC in the first half, up 21-0 before the Trojans went on a 21-6 run in act II. They both suffer from bipolar disorder.
If Utah plays Oregon State the way it did the first half against Michigan, there are few teams in the country that could beat them, one exception being the Oregon State team that played in the first half against USC. If Oregon State plays Utah the way it did USC in the second half, very few teams would have a problem trouncing them, one exception would be the Utah team that played in the second half against Michigan. The outcome will be decided by which team showed up. Both teams have an ability to perform in the big games, but both teams also have a tendency to have a let down.
If Utah can be disciplined and stay in their lanes on defense, they could shut down the "Quizz" (oh, and actually tackling him would help too). If Utah can hold on to the ball on offense, they could march up and down the field on the Beavers' D.
If Oregon State can force Brian Johnson to make some of his patented "freshman" mistakes, their D will get some much needed rest in the altitude of Salt Lake City. If the O-line can open up a few slivers for Rodgers up the middle, they will be able to break some big plays and score some points.
My prediction: Oregon State by 4, or Utah by 24, depending on which "pole" shows up.
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