Sep 263 min read

No. 10 Utah Utes Face Arizona Wildcats as Big 12 Foes

The No. 10 Utah Utes (4-0, 1-0 Big 12 Conference) will host the Arizona Wildcats (2-1) at 10:15 p.m. EST on Sept. 28 in Salt Lake City.

This will be the team's first game against each other as Big 12 foes and the Wildcats' first conference game. The question at quarterback remains for the Utes, as it has not been confirmed whether Cam Rising or Isaac Wilson will start. Conversely, the Wildcats hope the Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan duo can shock the Utes' talented defense.

What's at Stake?

The Utes have cracked the top 10 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, and they have no plans of moving back. In Week 4, the Utes beat the No. 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-1, 0-1) in Stillwater, Okla., without Rising. In a major win for the Utes, the team started to turn the heads of doubters in the national media.

To show they are the best that the Big 12 has to offer, they must continue to win. This is a game the Utes should come out of victorious, but a loss would derail their season completely.

The Wildcats were previously considered one of the top teams in the Big 12, but their recent play and blowout loss to the No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats (3-1, 0-1) has shifted their outlook. Beating the No. 10 team in the country would put Arizona back on track and prove that their loss to Kansas State was not a measuring stick of the team's potential. A loss would push the Wildcats further down the hole they are currently in.

Key Players: Utah Utes

With all the questions on who will start for the Utes at QB, one thing is for certain on offense. Running back Micah Bernard will find a way to get his. The Utes' run game has been ramping up, and Bernard leads that charge. In Week 4, Bernard rushed for 182 yards and has tallied more than 115 yards every week since Week 2. The Wildcats are currently ranked 97th in FBS in rushing defense, so Bernard should be able to eat in Week 5.

The Wildcats may have the best QB and wide receiver combo, so safety Tao Johnson is going to have his head on a swivel to break up that connection. Johnson has been very productive for the Utes this season, and a big game from him will help the Utes secure a win at home. Johnson has 20 total tackles this season and a pass defended. The Utes hope that he will continue his productivity and be an anchor for the defense against the Wildcats.

Key Players: Arizona Wildcats

Wildcats fans have been blessed with one of the best WRs in the country in McMillan. So far this year, their offense has been carried by Fifita and McMillan. In this game, the Wildcats will look to McMillan to pressure the Utah defense to try for the upset. With 4 touchdowns and 453 receiving yards, McMillan is a major problem the Utes must keep under control. If he gets open, it could mean points for the Wildcats on any given play.

On defense, linebacker Jacob Manu will be key for the Wildcats. If the Utes push the run game, Manu will have to be a big part of slowing it down. This season Manu has racked up 27 total tackles, and that number may continue to soar in Week 5. Manu possesses the ability to get physical, which he must turn on to stop the Utes. In Week 2 against Northern Arizona (2-2), he tallied 14 total tackles and 0.5 sacks. If he can find a way to replicate this game, Utah may have a hard time getting the ball rolling.

Trends to Watch

The Utes are trending toward being the best in the Big 12, and they must continue to prove themselves. The run game has been trending toward a strong suit for Utah with Rising hurt, and they should continue to use it against the Wildcats. Even if Rising plays, the RBs in Utah should get plenty of opportunity to shine and secure a home win for the Utes.

The Wildcats had a bye in Week 4, leaving the sour taste of defeat in their mouths going into this game. The loss against Kansas State has yet to be responded to, and the Wildcats hope to do so here. After dropping out of the Top 25, it is difficult to see where this team stands. Kansas State is a very good team, but they were blown out and didn't put up a fight. Depending on how well they play Utah will give a better idea of how good Arizona is and can still be.