10 Utah (8-2, 6-1 Pac-12, No. 10 CFP) at No. 12 Oregon (8-2, 6-1 Pac-12, No. 12 CFP), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. PST (ESPN)
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK COLLEGE LINE: Oregon by 3.
Series record: Oregon leads 23-12.
WHAT’S ON THE ROCK?
Barring some major mayhem going on in the Pac-12, this will likely be a semifinal game with the winner having a clear path to the conference title game in Las Vegas. The matchup lost some of its luster when Oregon imploded in the fourth quarter and lost 37-34 to No. 15 Washington last week, ending the Ducks’ 23-game home winning streak and their hopes of a bid to The College Football Playoff. But the conference title game and a possible Rose Bowl berth is still out there for both teams. The Utes have won four straight since losing at UCLA and last year beat Oregon in two games by a combined score of 76-17.
MAIN MATCH
Oregon QB Bo Nix against Utah’s secondary. The best pass defense in the Pac-12 belongs to Utah, giving up an average of 206.5 yards per game through the air. Nix leads the conference in passing efficiency, is tied for third in TD passes and is fourth in passing yards per game at 277.4. Nix also has the added element of his running ability, but that needs to be watched after a sprain on his feet late in the loss to Washington left him a little groggy.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Utah: QB Cam Rising. The Utes saw last week the success Washington was able to have on Oregon’s secondary when Michael Penix Jr. threw for 408 yards. Utah’s offense isn’t built the same, and Rising hasn’t been asked to take it down as often.
Oregon: RBs Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington. Oregon’s backfield duo each rushed for more than 100 yards last week against Washington. The only times this season Utah has allowed more than 200 rushing yards, so Oregon’s duo will be critical to the Ducks’ offensive success.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Oregon leads the nation in fewest sacks allowed with just two. … Utah is eighth in the nation in average time of possession at 33:46 per game. … Oregon is ranked no. 2 in the nation in total yards per game at 520.6. … Utah is one of six Power Five teams in the nation to rank in the Top 25 in scoring offense (12th at 39.3) and scoring defense (21st at 20.0).
