No. 15 Utah (4-1, 1-1) at Oregon State (2-3, 1-1)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 6 p.m. MDT
- Venue: Reser Stadium (45,674)
- Surface: FieldTurf
- TV/livestream: Pac-12 Networks
- Radio: ESPN 700 AM
- Series: Oregon State leads 11-9-1
- Weather: Chance of showers with temperatures in the high 50s
THE STAKES
For Utah: The 15th-ranked Utes can be in the national discussion by running the table. For now, the focus is firmly on winning the Pac-12 South.
For Oregon State: The rebuilding Beavers are seeking to build on last week’s win at UCLA. It remains to be seen if they’re contenders or pretenders.
THE TRENDS
For Utah: The Utes really put the clamps on Washington State two weeks ago, caging the Cougars with a strong offense and defense.
For Oregon State: The Beavers have lost their last three games against Utah. Their last win at home over the Utes came in 2012.
THE CRYSTAL BALL
Utah: The Utes continue to execute on both sides of the ball en route to another victory. If they prevail, their all-important Pac-12 record is upped to 2-1.
Oregon State: The Beavers may have come of age, playing well in a loss to Stanford and then overpowering UCLA in Pasadena. Can they keep it going?
PLAYER TO WATCH
JAKE LUTON, Oregon State quarterback: The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Week threw five touchdown passes in a 48-31 win at UCLA. He also picked up a national award.
KEY MATCHUP
Utah’s defensive line vs. Oregon State’s Jake Luton: Can the highly touted Utes apply adequate pressure on Luton? The 6-foot-7 senior has thrown 166 straight passes without an interception — the longest active streak in the nation.
QUOTABLE
“The quarterback is playing well and we’re going to have our hands full. Anytime you go on the road in the Pac-12, it’s a challenge. Any week is a challenge, but particularly in the Pac-12.”
— Utah coach Kyle Whittingham
”Execution is going to be paramount. They’re a really good team. On both sides of the ball and special teams, they’ve got great athletes from top to bottom.”
— Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith
NEXT UP
Utah hosts Arizona State next Saturday and Oregon State travels to Cal.
UTAH SCHEDULE
- Aug. 29 — at BYU, Won 30-12
- Sept. 7 — Northern Illinois, Won 35-17
- Sept. 14 — Idaho State, Won 31-0
- Sept. 20 — at USC, Lost 30-23
- Sept. 28 — Washington State, Won 38-13
- Oct. 12 — at Oregon State, 6 p.m. (P12N)
- Oct. 19 — Arizona State, 4 p.m. (P12N)
- Oct. 26 — California (TBD)
- Nov. 2 — at Washington (TBD)
- Nov. 16 — UCLA (TBD)
- Nov. 23 — at Arizona (TBD)
- Nov. 30 — Colorado (TBD)
- Dec. 6 — Pac-12 Championship (TBD, ABC)
All times MDT