Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah was flawless in its performance last week against Weber State.
Travis Wilson showed he has phantom speed, the defense got a score, and their wide receivers had a chance to showcase their speed and quickness on the Rice-Eccles turf.
After two weeks, the Utes are 2-0 in their quest for the Beehive Boot but now it’s time to begin chasing the real prize — a January trip to Pasadena as the Pac-12 conference champion.
This week, Utah will face an Oregon State team which is trying to find its identity after getting knocked off by FCS Eastern Washington in Week 1 and getting a less-than-impressive win over Hawaii.
The Beavers have something to prove, and a road win to open the conference schedule could be exactly what they need to jump start their season.
For Utah, a win means the Utes are one step closer to the six they’ll need to get back to a bowl game.
Both teams need this game badly, and this week’s game will boil down to who wins between the Utah cornerbacks and Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion.
Related:
10 things to know about Utah vs. Oregon State
For the Utes, being 2-0, their best start since 2010, doesn't mean much considering the real season gets underway this Saturday as they kick of Pac-12 play hosting Oregon State.Why this matchup?
If Oregon State can do one thing efficiently, it is throw the football. After only two games, the Beavers are third in the country in passing offense, averaging 436.5 yards per game.
Beavers starter Sean Mannion has already thrown for 794 yards and has completed 68-of-86 passes thrown for a 79.1 percent completion rate.
In comparison, the Beavers are 116th in rushing offense, running for only 81 yards per game.
So, if Utah is to beat Oregon State, it is going to come through stopping the passing game at nearly all costs. The best way for the Utes to do this is going to be through aggressive, physical defensive back play that covers receivers long enough for a better-than-expected Utah defensive line to collapse the pocket.
Utah improved its pass coverage last week, albeit against a pair of Weber State quarterbacks who aren’t nearly the same caliber as Mannion. However, the Utes did hold the Wildcats to only 136 yards passing, of which 32 yards came on a halfback pass.
Again, it all is a matter of giving the front seven a chance to collapse the pocket. If the Utes can cover the Beavers’ top receiving threats, they will severely limit Oregon State’s offense.
Who wins this matchup?
#poll
The stats would suggest Chuckie Keeton will be the toughest quarterback Utah plays against all year, as he is such a multi-dimensional threat. However, Sean Mannion could be the best pocket passer the Utes face all year as well, and this presents challenges which are vastly different from the first two weeks of the season.
Still, it’s important to note Mannion’s competition the first two weeks of the season — FCS Eastern Washington and defensively woeful Hawaii.
Utah’s defensive backs aren’t great, but they will be playing with confidence after their performance in Week 2 against Weber State.
Again, the key for Utah isn’t to lock down receivers for a whole game — the key for Utah is to deny receivers long enough to let the Utah front seven attack Mannion.
The Utes are playing at home and it’s also Homecoming. Add the fact that Oregon State is such a one-dimensional offense and that the Beavers have traditionally struggled in Salt Lake City, and it’s possible to see a Utah victory.
