Arizona vs. Utah: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More
The Arizona Wildcats approach Saturday still alive in the minefield that is the Pac-12 South, as do the Utah Utes. The two familiar foes collide in Salt Lake City in what amounts to an elimination showdown.
Arizona enters with two wins under its belt in as many weeks, barely scraping by last week against Washington 27-26. The Wildcats need to win out and get a bit of help to squeak by and contend for the title.
Utah finally got back on a winning track last week with a double-overtime win against Stanford, but it needs the dominoes to fall perfectly in place while it continues to win.
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The stakes are high Saturday in what might just turn into a shootout.
Fireworks Out West
Both of these teams tout ridiculously good pass-rushers. Utah's Nate Orchard is tied for first nationally with 16.5 sacks, while Arizona's Scooby Wright III is tied for third with 13 of his own.
Yet this one figures to be a high-scoring affair.
Partially thank Wildcats freshman quarterback Anu Solomon for that. The Las Vegas native has completed 58.1 percent of his passes this year for 3,058 yards and 25 touchdowns to seven interceptions, but he keeps defenses honest with his legs and has 307 yards on the ground.
Solomon is flanked by another freshman, running back Nick Wilson. He has turned 160 carries into 867 yards and nine scores this year.
While the spotlight is shared for the Wildcats, the same cannot be said for the Utes. Travis Wilson has thrown for 13 touchdowns to just two interceptions, but the majority of the attention rightfully goes to Devontae Booker, who has rushed for 1,113 yards and eight scores while drawing the eye of the pro game, as illustrated by NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah:
Considering both defenses rank 44th or worse in terms of points scored per game, the conference's next wave of offensive studs certainly has a major stage to shine on come Saturday.
Whichever side prevails will extend its amount of time in the spotlight too.
Home Blues
This elimination game features quite the interesting wrinkle—the Wildcats excel where they should not, and the Utes are miserable where they should excel.
See, Arizona is superb on the road. Rich Rodriguez's team has lost just once away from home this season, a dud of a performance against UCLA. But the team has beaten all other opponents in their places of residence, including then-No. 2 Oregon.
On the flip side, Utah struggles at home. Wins over Idaho State and Fresno State are great, but a loss to Washington State, now 3-7, looks horrific. A win over a ranked USC team is great, but it is counteracted by a rough showing at home against Oregon.
Orchard and the Utah defense folded in a hurry in that loss to the Ducks, surrendering 508 total yards, 27 first downs and 51 points. Coach Kyle Whittingham recently noted that his team has consistent issues down the stretch despite belief in a positive outcome, per Stats LLC, via ESPN.com.
"We haven't won every close game," he said. "We know that, but these guys believe that they are going to win every game that they are in. When it comes right down to the wire, there is a lot of belief on our team that they are going to get it done. And they have most weeks."
In perhaps the biggest game of its season, Utah is going to need to stand tall in a place it struggles.
If the trend continues, the Utes will pay by seeing their title hopes go up in flames.
When: Saturday, November 22, 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
Television: ESPN
Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 54
- Spread: Utah (-4)
Team Injury Reports
| Jacob Arzouman | OL | 08/28/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | knee |
| Jerod Cody | DE | 08/28/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | concussion |
| Brandon Dawkins | QB | 08/26/2014 | is suspended indefinitely | Suspended | disciplinary |
| Chase Gorham | LS | 11/16/2014 | is questionable for Saturday's game against Utah | Questionable | abdominal |
| Dwight Melvin | DT | 08/26/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | academics |
| DeAndre' Miller | LB | 11/16/2014 | is questionable for Saturday's game against Utah | Questionable | shoulder |
| Nate Phillips | WR | 11/12/2014 | will miss the remainder of the season | Out | foot |
| Dres Anderson | WR | 10/29/2014 | will miss the remainder of the season | Out | knee |
| Tevin Carter | S | 11/11/2014 | will miss the remainder of the season | Out | hip |
| Uaea Masina | LB | 09/07/2014 | will miss the remainder of the season | Out | arm |
| Evan Moeai | TE | 11/16/2014 | is questionable for Saturday's game against Arizona | Questionable | knee |
| Tim Patrick | WR | 11/09/2014 | is out indefinitely | Out | leg |
| Reginald Porter | CB | 08/15/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | knee |
| Kendal Thompson | QB | 11/09/2014 | is expected to miss the remainder of the season | Out | leg |
| Jason Whittingham | LB | 09/16/2014 | is expected to miss two months | Out | wrist |
Injury reports per The Sports Network, via USA Today.
Prediction
The explosive Wildcats are surprisingly game in hostile environments for a team led by freshmen at a pair of critical positions.
That experience, not to mention an offense that averages better than 35 points per game, will survive at Utah through timely forced mistakes by a strong pass rush and capitalization by Solomon.
Look for Arizona to get an early lead and stand tall on defense. Utah can struggle at times when it gets behind, which plays right into Solomon's hands. The Wildcats live to see another week.
Prediction: Wildcats 28, Utes 23
Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
