Preparing for Travis Wilson more difficult, Oregon State says

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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah has been without a stable, consistent quarterback since Brian Johnson led the Utes to a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama at the end of the 2008 season.

Former Utes quarterback Jordan Wynn was expected to be the future of the program, but injuries ultimately ended his career and also Utah's chance at a consistent offense for multiple seasons.

In 2012, then-freshman quarterback Travis Wilson was thrown into the mix mid-season and was expected to get quick results. For many fans of the program, though, Wilson didn't shine as much as they were hoping as the potential future of the program.

However, it was a daunting task for a young quarterback that wasn't privileged to get most of the snaps during fall camp that season. Wilson was expected to only gain some experience under Wynn before the torch was eventually passed on years later.

In his freshman season, Wilson started in the last seven games, completing 127 of his 203 passing attempts for 1,311 yards and seven touchdowns and six interceptions. Wilson also rushed for 52 yards and four touchdowns. Although Wilson completed more than 62 percent of his passes on the year, there was something left to be desired on Utah's offense.

Utah (2-0) vs. Oregon State (1-1)

Utah (2-0, 0-0 Pac-12) vs. Oregon State (1-1, 0-0 Pac-12)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013
Time: 8:00 p.m. MDT
Site: Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017/FieldTurf)
TV: FOX Sports 1
Radio: ESPN700, Sirius 139/XM 198
Series Record: OSU leads 10-6-1
Last Meeting: 2012 (OSU 21-7)
Kickoff Weather: Partly cloudy; temps near 75

Series Snapshot
Utah trails the series 6-10-1, with four of its wins coming in the last six games. Utah's first Pac-12 win came against the Beavers in 2011 — 27-8 in Salt Lake City, where the teams are tied 4-4. Utah has won the last three home games (1992, 2008 and 2011).

Now a year older, and a missed postseason behind the team, Wilson has become a more confident quarterback whose leadership has helped to produce an offense that is strikingly different than seasons past. Wilson has taken significant strides and has joined an elite group of college quarterbacks already this season.

Two games into the season, Wilson has already completed 31 of his 47 passing attempts for 566 yards and five touchdowns. Wilson has also added 102 rushing yards and two touchdowns. And while his overall numbers are good, it's his ability to stay calm in the pocket and complete deep passes that has fans excited about his potential.

The transformation from Wilson's freshman season to now has made it a little more difficult for opposing teams to prepare against. Knowing Wilson's tendencies, strengths and weaknesses has become exceedingly more difficult for Oregon State to prepare for as they look to thwart the young quarterback's offense this Saturday.

Paraphrasing Beavers cornerback Rashaad Reynolds, The Oregonian's Connor Letourneau said: "This guy is making reads he never could've made a year ago. And where did he learn how to run?"

Wilson's progression as a quarterback has caught the attention of Oregon State head coach Mike Riley.

"(He's) got a lot of confidence. He's played a lot more football and had an offseason to prepare, so naturally he's going to be different," Riley told The Oregonian. "He's poised, he's got good athletic abilities in his arm. Those are the issues."

And while the Beavers are preparing for Wilson as a dual-threat quarterback, the question remains whether Oregon State's defense is up to the task and whether they can contain him in the pocket.

"But before OSU can contain him, the defense must collectively reach the same conclusion Reynolds drew while pouring over Wilson's highlights: This is not the same player who threw two picks and lost 13 yards on the ground during the Utes' 21-7 loss at Raser Stadium last October."