All signs point to Arizona State in this game. Utah just got destroyed in their first Pac 12 home game, after a bye week (where K-Whit traditionally has a phenomenal record). They are starting a QB in his first collegiate start against one of the most relentless defenses in the Pac 12. Arizona State has a very tall, mobile QB that is coming into his own in his first full season as a starter. Their rushing attack has been working to the tune of 140 yards per game, 4 yards per carry, and 2 TDs per game.
The Utah offense, on the other hand, has struggled mightily, even having a seasoned QB through the first four games of the season. Now, with a below-standard Utah rushing game, they have to try to put together a passing game with a QB making his first Division I start that only had 1 scholarship offer out of Junior College. It doesn't look good for the Ute offense right now. The defense, which is in better shape as far as personnel is concerned, is coming off a 411-yard 31-point effort. They got gashed on the ground and through the air against a Washington team that isn't supposed to be as good as Arizona State.
Yet, these are the kinds of games that Utah seems to surprise everyone (excluding the game at Notre Dame last season), the games when no one gives them a chance. Well, they have no chance to win this game. Their season very much rides in the balance here. A loss to Arizona State could easily spiral into a 4-game losing streak with two road games ahead of them against suddenly resurgent Pitt and a Cal team that played with Oregon for a half. A 4-game losing streak makes the possibility of a bowl game all that much tougher in their inaugural Pac 12 campaign. And this is a difficult contest against a ranked opponent that can establish a strangle-hold on top of the Pac 12 South.
So naturally, given how obvious it is that Utah is outmatched, I'm picking the Utes to pull off the upset at home. I think Ute QB Jon Hays plays the game of his life and saves Utah's season. John White IV puts up 150 yards on the ground and has two 40-yard TD runs. WR DeVonte Christopher puts a crack block on LB Vontaze Burfict in the first quarter that dizzies him for the remainder of the affair. The defense puts a hurting on QB Brock Osweiler and contains RB Cameron Marshall. WRs Aaron Pflugrad and Gerell Robinson become scared to go across the middle of the field after several big hits in the cold and elevation of Salt Lake City. Utah goes +4 in the turnover battle. After the game, Arizona State is the team that suddenly has all the question marks.
K, so maybe that is a slight exaggeration of affairs, but I do think the pride of the Utes causes them to really step up this week and pull off the upset. Utah 27, Arizona State 20.
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