GAME PREVIEW: Utah vs. Washington

SALT LAKE CITY — It's the first Pac-12 home game in school history for the Utes, so there are many unknowns. Here, we look at what we do know and what we should expect as the Utes welcome the Washington Huskies into Rice-Eccles Stadium.

What did we learn from Utah’s game at BYU two weeks ago?

• Utah’s defense is outstanding. The Utes are ranked third in the nation in turnover margin, and although BYU gave the Utes some gift turnovers, Utah forced at least four turnovers against the Cougars (maybe five).
• John White IV is for real. The Utes seem to always come up with a solid running back out of nowhere. White IV is the latest in a list that starts with Jamaal Anderson and goes through names like Marty Johnson, Quinton Ganther, Brandon Warfield and Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala. After running for 239 yards against BYU, White IV ranks ninth in the nation in rushing yards per game.
• Utah is fast. It was clear at BYU that Utah’s superior team speed overwhelmed the Cougars and led to many of those seven turnovers.
• The offensive line is stronger than we thought. When Tony Bergstrom went down, the next man in stepped up right where he left off. The Utes ran for 242 yards against BYU and Jordan Wynn had all day to throw. Props to the O-Line.

What lingering questions do we still have about Utah?

• What kind of quarterback is Jordan Wynn? Wynn has been overshadowed in the last two games, but he has played solidly, managing the offense pretty effectively. Is he going to be that kind of quarterback for the rest of the year — a Big 10 Conference-type who just keeps his team from losing? Is he going to struggle as he faces tougher defenses? Or is he going to be one of Norm Chow’s gems like Philip Rivers or Carson Palmer?
• Do the Utes have a kicker? Coleman Peterson looked great against Montana State but was inconsistent, at best, at BYU. Peterson was two-for-three but the field goal he missed was way off. He also missed an extra point, although his leg may have been tired, kicking seven PATs in the game.
• Who is Wynn’s top target? This is still a question, but not a concern. Wynn is spreading the wealth pretty well. Eleven different receivers have caught passes in 2011. Contenders for the biggest threat include DeVonte Christopher, Dres Anderson, Reggie Dunn, Luke Matthews and Dallin Rodgers.

What can Utah expect from Washington this weekend?

• The Huskies will throw the ball often. With Keith Price leading the nation with 14 touchdown passes in 2011, expect Washington to try and test the Utes’ young secondary. Steve Sarkisian is not stupid. He saw the Utes hold BYU to 11 yards rushing and he’s watched the tape on this Utes’ front seven. Washington will run it only enough to keep the Utes honest.
• An aggressive defense. Washington’s defense is one of the worst in college football, but they try to make up for their lack of talent via aggressiveness.
• Strong D in the red zone. As bad as the Husky defense has been, they’ve managed to make plays when they need to, especially in their red zone. Washington has only given up 11 touchdowns in 20 red zone trips by opponents.

What can we expect from Utah against the Huskies?

• Like Washington, the Utes will try and throw it often. Washington is 117th out of 120 teams in the FBS in passing defense. With a great receiving corps, look for the Utes to take advantage of a bad secondary.
• Expect Kalani Sitake to dial up some pressure on Price. Don’t expect the Ute defense to sit back and let Price carve his way down the field. Price is going to have to make plays on the run if he’s going to beat Utah.
• Look for a big, potentially game-deciding play to come on a play-action pass that catches the Huskies being too aggressive. Washington has been known to over-pursue on occasion. If White IV gets going, expect the Husky D to creep up and give up a big play.

Miscellaneous:

• Under Kyle Whittingham, the Utes are 11-1 coming off of a bye week and they have never lost a game in the Whittingham era coming off a regular season bye.
• Last year, Utah beat Iowa State 68-27 coming of its season bye.
• Washington is the only Pac-12 school Utah has never beaten.
• The Utes are 0-6 against Washington all-time, the last meeting taking place in 1979.
• Washington has never played in Salt Lake City.
• The Huskies are 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in conference play, having beaten Cal last week.
• Washington running back Chris Polk ran for 1,415 yards in 2010, the second-highest season total in school history.
• Utah ranks 14th in the nation, tied with LSU, for points against at 14.3 points per game.
• The Utes also rank 14th in the nation in run defense, giving up an average of only 79.33 yards per game.
• Utah ranks 100th in the nation in passing defense, giving up an average of 263.3 passing yards per game.

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