Utah (0-0) at Washington (2-0)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. MST
- Venue: Husky Stadium (no fans allowed)
- Surface: Turf
- TV: ABC
- Livestream: WatchESPN
- Radio: ESPN 700 AM
- Series: Utah trails 2-12
- Weather: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid 40s at kickoff.
THE STAKES
For Washington … After the Apple Cup was canceled against Washington State, the Huskies turn their attention to the Utes. With a win against Utah and an Oregon loss, Washington would sit atop the Pac-12 North.
For Utah … Utah is looking to rebound, trying to salvage its season after a loss to USC to open the season. The Utes have to win two of their final three games to be bowl eligible.
THE TRENDS
For Washington … Washington is 2-0 on the season after wins against Oregon State and Arizona. The Huskies will be trying to exact revenge on Utah after the Utes beat them 33-28 last year.
For Utah … Utah is 0-1 on the year after losing its home opener to USC. Last season, the Utes beat the Huskies for the first time since 2015.
THE CRYSTAL BALL
Washington will win if … The Huskies’ defensive line wins the battle in the trenches, can pressure Utah quarterback Jake Bentley and prevents Utah’s running game from getting going.
Utah will win if … Utah’s offensive line and Bentley improve greatly from their performance in the USC game and if the Utes’ defense can slow down Washington’s rush game, which is averaging 250 yards per game, led by Richard Newton and Sean McGrew.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Jake Bentley, Utah: The South Carolina senior transfer, who played three quarters of the USC game after starting QB Cam Rising exited with an injury in the early second quarter, will be making his first start as a Ute since coach Kyle Whittingham said it looks like Rising is out for the season. Bentley, who was 16-for-28 for 171 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, will have to be better against Washington if the Utes want any chance of beating the Huskies. It will be interesting to see what Bentley, who was good at South Carolina, looks like after a full week of practice as the No. 1 quarterback.
KEY MATCHUP
Utah’s offensive line vs. Washington’s defensive line: Utah’s offensive line struggled during the 33-17 loss to USC. The front five didn’t live up to offseason expectations, allowing pressure in the backfield all night. USC had three sacks and six tackles for loss, and Utah’s run game never got going. The Utes had three freshmen offensive linemen (Keaton Bills, Jaren Kump and Sataoa Laumea) start against the Trojans and three sophomores (Braeden Daniels, Paul Maile and Simi Moala) rotated in.
Whittingham noted after the USC game that he thought the offensive line would take over more, and they will have to be better on Saturday night.
Linebackers Zion Tupuola-Fetui and Edefuan Ulofoshio are two Washington players to keep your eye on when the Utes have the ball. Tupuola-Fetui leads the Huskies in sacks with four and Ulofoshio leads the team in tackles with 15.
QUOTABLE
“Coach Whittingham, I have so much respect for him and his staff. They have always been one of the toughest teams to go against year in and year out. This is why this has been such a spectacular game for years now.
“We know that they will be coached up on offense, defense and special teams, they will be tough to defend, they will be really tough on defense. Historically, every single year, it’s either us or them as the best defense in the Pac-12.”
— Washington head coach Jimmy Lake on preparing for Utah
“We have full confidence in Jake (Bentley) moving forward. It’s going to be a big benefit to him, getting all of the reps with the ones (first team) this week. He should be more comfortable and settled in this next game.”
— Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham on quarterback Jake Bentley
NEXT UP
Utah hosts Oregon State on Dec. 5; Washington hosts Stanford on Dec. 5.
UTAH SCHEDULE
Nov. 7 — Arizona, canceled
Nov. 14 — at UCLA, canceled
Nov. 21 — USC 33, Utah 17
Nov. 28 — at Washington (5:30 p.m., ABC)
Dec. 5 — Oregon State
Dec. 11 — at Colorado (7:30 p.m., FS1)
All times MST