SALT LAKE CITY — Utah will get its first true test of the season Thursday as the Utes take on No. 12 UCLA in the annual blackout game. The night game features two sophomore dual-threat quarterbacks in a battle for a top spot in the Pac-12 South Division.

Entering the season, UCLA's redshirt sophomore quarterback Brett Hundley was expected to be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, with many analysts calling him a dark horse Heisman candidate. His leadership under center, mixed with his elusive foresight in the pocket, are just a few reasons why he's able to backup their predictions.

"Brett Hundley is a great QB. He's really smart, he makes really amazing plays, and it's going to be great going against him," Travis Wilson said.

"He's big and he's physical. He can stand in there and throw it, he can get out of the pocket and throw it, he can run," UCLA head coach Jim Mora said. "It's only going to make you better by facing him regardless of whether you're playing a young man like we're playing this week or any other quarterback; it's going to make you better."

While Hundley deserves the praise so far, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham believe the Utes have an equally talented quarterback in Travis Wilson.

"(Hundley) does everything well. He's a lot like our guy, Travis (Wilson)," Whittingham said. "Their numbers are almost exact, when you compare the two in the throw game. They're within a point or two of each other in pass efficiency. Hundley runs the ball well like Travis does."

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On paper, Wilson and Hundley are nearly identical in every statistical category on offense. Wilson is ranked third in the Pac-12 and 15th nationally in passing efficiency (166.6), while Hundley is fourth and 16th (165.9). Wilson also leads Hundley in total offense by the slightest of margins — Wilson is third in the Pac-12 and 7th nationally, averaging 342.3 yards per game, compared to Hundley who is fourth and 11th, averaging 335 yards per game.

Even in the run game, Wilson has a slight advantage — 251 yards to 157 yards. Hundley, however, leads in passing yards per game. Hundley is sixth in the Pac-12 and 19th nationally (282.7 yards per game) and Wilson is seventh and 23rd (279.5 yards per game).

"There's a really good comparison between those two guys, and it's going to be an intriguing matchup," Whittingham said. "The quarterbacks are going against each other head-to-head on Thursday night. What Travis brings to the table and makes him difficult to defend, Hundley does the same thing for the Bruins."

Thursday's game will ultimately come down to what quarterback performs better and who was able to get the most out of their offense while lessening the impact of the opposing defense.

In their last meeting, Wilson got his first career start against the Bruins as a true freshman, losing 21-14 on the road at the Rose Bowl. Wilson threw for more yards — 220 vs. 183 — but Hundley ultimately was the more effective quarterback.

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The No. 12 UCLA Bruins travel to Salt Lake City Thursday to open up Pac-12 play against Utah after a commanding 3-0 start to the season. And while the national ranking and overall improved play by the team is encouraging, head coach Jim Mora understands the difficult task ahead of him.

"I was really impressed with (Wilson) last year — that he was a freshman making his first start on the road and back home; there's a lot of emotions that go into that. And I thought he handled that with a lot of poise last year," Mora said.

"What we see this year is a guy that has really built on that. And you see a guy that doesn't make mistakes," Mora added. "You see a guy that can stand tall in the pocket at 6-foot-7 and make throws down the field. But you also see a guy that's got mobility and can keep a play alive, scramble and get himself out of trouble and run the ball a little bit. I'm impressed with him. I like him. I liked him last year and I like him even more this year, and I think he's going to develop into a nice quarterback."

Mora compared Wilson to former Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler, who is now playing in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.

This season, Wilson has made strides in his game, including his leadership, poise and overall control of the game. He's thrown for 1,118 yards and nine touchdowns — the Utes ended last season with 16 touchdowns — and has opened up the run game in the quarterback position.

While stats don't tell the full story, Thursday's game will come down to the play of the quarterbacks. UCLA is favored in the game, but Wilson vs. Hundley may be the biggest factor in who ultimately wins the game.

"It's definitely going to be exciting going against him and hopefully I can bring my game, too," Wilson said.

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