Of all the schools Utah has ever played in its 102-year history, the University of Oregon has been the Utes' second toughest foe. The Ducks have beaten the Utes 14 of the 20 times they've met.
Only Arizona State, which beat the Utes 38-0 last year has been tougher on the Utes, owning a 16-6 advantage.The Ducks are favored by oddsmakers to beat Utah again when the two teams meet today (2 p.m. MDT) at Autzen Stadium, even if their coach thinks otherwise.
Oregon coach Rich Brooks, whose team lost to Hawaii 36-16 last week, said he was "stunned" that his team is a four-point favorite over Utah. He calls the Utes "as good as any of the teams in the top 20 or 25 in the nation."
Of Utah, Brooks said, "I don't know why they don't get more credit."
The local press certainly is giving the Utes their proper due. The headline in the local Register-Guard says "Simply put, Utah offense is awesome" and the article goes on to detail the Utes' offensive accomplishments over the past two seasons.
Utah is 2-0 after victories over in-state rival Utah State and Idaho State. The Utes are coming into the contest with quiet confidence although coach Ron McBride is aware of the difficulties of winning here. He recalls going to Oregon when he was an assistant at Arizona and getting whipped, despite being heavy favorites.
"It's a very tough place to play," he said. "I know they'll be pumped up and ready to play us."
The Ducks may try to play off the emotion of receiver Kory Murphy, who had to quit football after sustaining a serious spine injury against Hawaii. Brooks said he hoped Murphy would be on the sidelines for the game.
Offensively, both schools have excellent passing attacks. Oregon relies on Danny O'Neil, who has started since his freshman year, while the Utes count on Mike McCoy, who was second in the nation in total offense last year.
But the game could be decided on who has the best running attack. Here the Utes have an advantage.
So far, the Ducks have had a difficult time establishing a running attack, averaging just 115 yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry.
Utah, on the other hand, has plenty of options with its running game. First-year senior Rob Hamilton has the most yardage, 147 yards, while freshman Juan Johnson has been the most spectacular, scoring four touchdowns, two on dazzling runs of 30 and 29 yards.
Sylvester Cooperwood should be fine after injuring his ankle in the first half of last week's game. And Charlie Brown, relegated to No. 4 back after fumbling against Utah State, came back with an impressive performance against Idaho State, gaining 83 yards on just nine carries.
Defensively, the Utes rank 5th in the nation in total defense and are 3rd in rushing defense.
UTE NOTES: The game will not be televised because of the Pac-10s "no-compete" rule. UCLA is on national television at the same time as this game . . . The Utes will fly directly back to Salt Lake immediately after the game, arriving at approximately 8:45 p.m. . . . The last time the Utes and Ducks met, in 1991, Utah raced out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and then held on for a 24-21 victory. In their last meeting here, Oregon won 21-13 in 1975.