SALT LAKE CITY — The Pac-12 race is beginning to tighten, as the two titans of the conference face off this weekend in Salt Lake City when Washington visits Utah. Each the respective leader of their division, this game figures to go a long way to determining whether the Pac-12 gets a spot in the College Football Playoff. A one-loss team still has a chance to get in, but room for error grows infinitely smaller with a mark in the loss column.

For the Utes, it's just another game, as Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham reiterated in his press conference this week. "We prepare for each game the same, no matter the opponent, whether it's Week 1 or Week 12," Whittingham said.

Some game notes of interest:

• The Utes are 1-8 all-time versus Washington and 1-2 since joining the Pac-12.
• Prior to last season's victory in Seattle, Washington was the only Pac-12 school the Utes had failed to beat.
• Whittingham is 1-2 versus Washington head coach Chris Petersen, going back to Petersen's time at Boise State.
• Utah quarterback Troy Williams began his career at Washington, choosing the Huskies after leaving high school as the No. 1 ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country. Williams transferred after his freshman year, saying earlier this week that he "didn't feel wanted or appreciated," and that this week's game means "an enormous amount to me."
• Identical to Williams, legendary Ute quarterback Lee Grosscup (1957-58) began his career at Washington before transferring to Utah after his freshman season. Grosscup is considered one of the most successful quarterbacks in Ute history.
• ESPN's fan-favorite "College GameDay" will broadcast live from Salt Lake City this weekend. "Gameday," as it's affectionately known, is hosted by Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and the legendary Lee Corso. Fans can watch the show Saturday morning from 7-10 am.

Scouting Report: Washington Huskies

Head coach: Chris Petersen (22-12 at Washington, three seasons, 114-24 all-time)
Record: 7-0, 4-0 conference
Line: Washington -10

Offense (487 ypg, 48.3 ppg)

Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning makes this team move. Browning, currently second in ESPN's Heisman Watch, has thrown for 26 touchdowns and two interceptions so far, making him the nation's most efficient passer.

Browning has a talented group of receivers that help him to look so good. Boasting two top-10 Pac-12 receivers in juniors John Ross and Dante Pettis, Washington leads the conference in yards per pass attempt at 9.8, also good for sixth in the nation.

The running game is led by sophomore Myles Gaskin. Averaging 103 yards per game, Gaskin is second in the conference in total rush yards. Junior Lavon Coleman is also worthy of attention, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.

Per successful play (a play not resulting in a pass incompletion or turnover), the Huskies average 8.7 yards per play, a remarkable number considering that this stat factors in negative plays like sacks and plays where yardage is lost. This is by all accounts the conference's most explosive team, as their 48 points per game lead the Pac-12 and rank fourth in the nation.

Defense (318.6 ypg, 14.6 ppg)

Like Utah, everything defensively runs through the line for Washington. Sophomores Vita Vea and Greg Gaines and junior Elijah Qualls have combined for nine sacks from their various positions on the line, and help the Huskies to allow opponents only 3.7 yards per carry.

Linebacker/defensive end hybrid Joe Mathis leads the team with five sacks and is one of the top tacklers with 25 total thus far. Fellow linebackers Azeem Victor and Keishawn Bierria lead the team in tackles with 48 and 40, respectively.

The trenches may get it started for Washington, but the back end is just as if not more impressive. Junior free safety Budda Baker is the leader of the secondary and is sure to be a highly sought after defensive back at the next level, as is teammate Sidney Jones, the Huskies' lockdown cornerback. The Huskies have seven interceptions on the season.

Washington leads the nation in turnover margin, at +1.8 per game, having created 19 turnovers so far this season.

Special teams

Senior kicker Cameron Van Winkle is six for nine on field goals so far this season, and 44 for 45 kicking extra points. Simply put, he's been a lot busier kicking extra points than field goals, a credit to the explosive nature of Washington's offense.

Ross and Pettis are dangerous returners for Washington. Ross is averaging 33 yards per return with a touchdown on kick returns while Pettis is averaging 11 yards per return with a touchdown on punt returns.

Game outlook

Washington just doesn't have any holes. It's the reason the Huskies are the country's fourth-ranked team. That said, this game should provide their first real test.

Bcftoys.com's Brian Fremeau has Washington as a 32-21 winner this weekend, giving the Huskies a 76 percent win likelihood. Profootballfocus.com predicts Washington to win 34-20. ESPN's Pac-12 panel unanimously favors Washington this week. While a few analysts and experts here and there predict the Utes to win, the outlook has been predominantly pro-Washington.

Stephen Lindsey is a student at the University of Utah currently working as an intern with KSL.com in Salt Lake City. Contact him at th3sl3@gmail.com or interact via his twitter handle, @slthe3

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