Following the end of non-conference play the Utes find themselves at 3-0 as they prepare to welcome the Bruins of UCLA to Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As Cameron Rising’s availability still remains in question, Utah faces a challenging opponent to open up conference play regardless if he returns or not.
Here are the keys to the game:
Effectively air it out
Through their first three games, the Bruins have allowed a total of 627 yards through the air, compared to only 209 on the ground. The primary reason? UCLA’s corners are just subpar and have surrendered that much aerial offense to a combination of teams such as Coastal Carolina, San Diego State and North Carolina Central.
However, the one redeeming quality of the pass defense is that they’ve only allowed two passing touchdowns and overall, only two of seven red zone trips have been converted.
So what does this mean for the Utes? First of all, go right at the corners. Utilize the receivers and expose their weakness. Additionally, make the yards count. Against UCLA, Coastal Carolina outgained the Bruins 289 to 264 but only scored one touchdown compared to three.
So regardless of who is under center, attack the corners, move the ball, and get into the end zone.
Get after the quarterback and make his life as difficult as possible
The Bruins have now effectively entered the post DTR era in 2023. While that seemed potentially problematic before the season began, freshman quarterback Dante Moore has looked really good in his first three games.
Against non-conference opponents, Moore has posted 615 yards, seven touchdowns and completed 62% of his passes. However, this is a completely different defense from what UCLA has faced so far and Utah needs to make Moore’s life as difficult as possible.
Similarly to what Utah did in 2019 against Arizona State and Jayden Daniels, the goal should be to replicate that against Moore on Saturday.
Rattle his confidence, force him to overthink and put him in situations where he has to act quickly. What does that look like? Right from the beginning the Utes should consider rushing an extra defender or two. Get in the backfield on the first few series of the game and drop him for a loss, break up a few passes, and get the crowd into it so that Rice Eccles become an unwelcoming and rambunctious environment.
Home advantage has been huge for Utah over the last few years, don’t surrender that.
The defense will have to play a complete game and lead the charge
Even if Utah is able to make Moore’s life difficult, the Bruins still have a dangerous and effective run game behind a two-headed monster in Carson Steele and TJ Harden.
Between the talented pair, the Bruins have posted 484 yards and four touchdowns. Sure, they’ve played some soft defenses compared to what the Utes will present on Saturday, but it’s still a deep and talented room that is part of a very well-balanced offense.
Similar to what they’ve done through the first three games, the defense will have to keep Utah in this game regardless of who is under center. The Bruins are better than most expected given their significant roster turnover, but they appear to be a good team and don’t forget that this program beat the Utes a season ago.
So the defense will have to bring the heat, remain disciplined, and count on their leaders to continue leading this team. Additionally, the battle in the trenches will be more important than any game they’ve played so far. Win that battle, win the day.
Position Battles
Quarterback
Erring on the side of caution in favor that Rising doesn’t play against the Bruins, Moore is an impressive freshman that has been slinging it all over the field through the first part of the season. However, if Rising does play then the Utes obviously have the advantage here. But, that remains to be seen.
Running Backs
These are two good running backs groups, but the Bruins appear to be both deeper and better.
Wide Receivers
770 yards and eight touchdowns in three games. UCLA has a dangerous onslaught of receivers that will burn Utah if they aren’t disciplined. Advantage Bruins.
Tight End
Of 45 completed passes, UCLA’s tight ends have caught two of those. Not that Utah’s tight end group is currently anywhere near what it was a season ago, but they pose more of a threat and will be utilized more than the Bruins.
Offensive Line
As demonstrated in how productive and well balanced their offense has been, UCLA’s line is likely the more talented group here. Now, that production has been against vastly inferior opponents but they should still have the advantage on Saturday. Utah has been good, but UCLA has been great.
Defensive Line
Whether they are fully healthy or close to fully healthy, the Utes defensive line is incredibly talented and runs deep. UCLA has a solid group too, but Utah is very good.
Linebackers
This is the closest this battle has been so far this season and I am going with a tie because both teams' linebackers have been stellar so far. While Utah’s runs deeper, the Bruins top three tacklers are linebackers Darius Muasau, Oluwafemi Oladejo and Kain Medrano. This will be a competitive battle on Saturday.
Secondary
UCLA has some decent safeties, but their corners have been a major weakness so far. Advantage Utah.
Special Teams
This is assuming kicker Cole Becker can’t play. Utah’s special teams was pitiful last week while the Bruins haven’t appeared to have many problems. The Utes may have a better punting game, but overall UCLA appears to have been better early in the season.
