UTES MOVEMENT
UTAH GETS A LOOK AT WHERE THEY STAND WITH TEST VS. HUSKIES
KEYS FOR WASHINGTON
Close calls: The Huskies went 22-5 during the past two seasons while sweeping Utah, but both victories came in a tight game. Washington won 31-24 in Salt Lake City two years ago before holding on for a 33-30 victory last year in Seattle. UW is 10-1 all-time against Utah, but the Utes have narrowed the gap between the two programs in recent seasons. Get the offense in gear: UW scored 16 points in a season-opening loss to Auburn, which is considered to have one of the top defenses in the nation. Utah is also on that list after allowing a total of 16 points in its first two games. “This defense is as good as I’ve seen,” Washington coach Chris Petersen said. “This is one of the best defenses in our league, for sure, if not the best.”
KEYS FOR UTAH
Ground game: Washington allowed 100.8 rushing yards per game last season, but has given up an average of 154 yards on the ground in its first two games of the year. Utah will present a tough test for UW’s run defense with Zack Moss running for 216 yards this season on 32 carries, an average of 6.8 yards per rush.
Air it out: Tyler Huntley has made strides early in his second season as the starting quarterback. The 6-foot-1 junior is averaging 282.5 passing yards per game after throwing for 286 in last week’s 17-6 win over Northern Illinois. Huntley had six passes go for at least 20 yards against Northern Illinois, marking the second time he has done that in his career. The only other game when Huntley threw six passes of 20 yards or more came last season in a loss to Washington.
PREDICTION
Washington 23, Utah
20: Expect another close call between these two teams with Washington once again on the winning side.