Utah vs. Arizona Prediction, Game Preview

This weekend, the outlook is decidedly more sunny both literally and figuratively for the Utah offense. Injuries have taken their toll on the linebacking group, including Wright, who is out for the remainder of the season.

We’ve been waiting to hear this for a long time. Record: 5-4, 2-4. Ranking: None.

Utah’s front-runner status in Pac-12 South. The Utes have a one-game lead over UCLA and USC. In theory this strategy can work, but when your linebacking corps is missing it’s best player and your defensive lineman are consistently being pushed off the ball at the line of scrimmage by the opposing team, you are left with this year’s Arizona defense. Needless to say…It isn’t good. The over is 6-1 in Arizona’s last 7 home games. The Ducks need to win their final three games and hope for Stanford to lose at home to California next week to win the North. Nick Wilson is the leading rusher for Arizona with 691 yards and 8 touchdowns. Booker is third in the Pac-12 in rushing at 124 yards per game. That could possibly get them ranked, which would be quite insane. Arizona won’t have a bye week all season, finishing next week against Arizona State…. They got stomped by Washington 49-3 two weeks ago, but played tough in close losses to Washington State and USC.

Wrapping things up will be a matchup of Wazzu (6-3, 4-2) at #19 UCLA (7-2, 4-2).

The Wildcats, sitting at No. 19 in the country, are the only team with double-digit losses ranked in the AVCA coaches poll. Skilled 7 footer Thomas Welsh, veteran low-post scorer and rebounder Tony Parker and promising 6-10 stretch forward Jonah Bolden form a capable frontcourt.

In a defense that is designed for the linebackers to make plays, this group has been rather unproductive. Combined, the linebacking group has 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and no interceptions over the entire season. The coaching staff at Arizona knows this is a problem and is desperately trying to recruit more size and skill at the position for 2016.

Those two will join a Cal roster loaded with returning perimeter talent as conference player of the year candidate Tyrone Wallace, former five-star wing Jabari Bird and sharpshooter Jordan Mathews each are back.

-P Tom Hackett (No. 4 punter, 320th overall) – Had one of his worst outings of his career averaging only 39.5 yards in his four punts at Washington. Parks is built more like a safety than a linebacker but has made his presence felt for the Wildcats. The Utah defense is giving up 21.6 points per game with 365.5 yards per game. It was his third game with 10 or more tackles this season.

UCLA was not happy last week, complaining that Oregon State’s defensive line was simulating their snap counts, a contributing factor in causing seven false starts. On Saturday’s game, Arizona has Jace Whittaker listed as the starting right cornerback however.

The numbers really tell the story.

OR allowed 28 points and 432 yards against Cal, which was averaging 35.8 points and 490.1 yards entering the game. Senior middle blocker Lillian Schonewise has been excellent in Pac-12 play, hitting.386, and she had 16 kills against UW the first time, hitting.650, despite UW winning in straight sets. And that’s with a pretty good sample size, too: 89 carries through nine games. Washington had two touchdowns called back on penalties, and had to settle for field goals each time for an eight-point swing on those two drives alone. The highlight reel for teams like Washington and No. 13 Utah are holding opposing offenses back, forcing turnovers and making big stops in the red zone, if necessary. This defense is in disarray and despite a good effort against USC last week, they still surrendered 38 points. That’s as the Bruins’ defense is still a concern, particularly against the run, ranking 10th in the Pac-12 in rush defense with 224 yards.

Can the Oregon Ducks turn around a disappointing season this year by upsetting the #7 ranked Stanford Cardinal this Saturday on the road?