Statistically Speaking: Utah vs. Oregon State

Utah has been on dramatically uneven footing in their first few games, with each team having wildly different levels of roster availability, preparation time, and real game experience to work out the kinks. The tilt against Oregon State features two teams in the early part of their season, with more or less full availability and a full week of practice knowing your opponent.

Utah was also outmatched in its prior games, with USC and Washington among the favorites to take the division crowns the season. Even if all else had been equal, it would not have been surprising to see the Utes fall to the Trojans and Huskies.

What was unique about those games is that there was little to learn from them. COVID introduces enough uncertainty that getting run out of town by USC doesn't mean the Utes are a bottom feeder, but going toe-to-toe with Washington doesn't mean they are a contender, either. This matchup against Oregon State will tell us more about the Utes than the previous games combined. Expect some good news.

Utah is heavily favored in Vegas and by advanced metrics, with a long history of having the better of Oregon State. The Beavers have certainly transformed themselves from a true basement dweller into a mid-level conference team, but they are far from Utah's level in talent and historical performance. They'll have to put together their second near-flawless performance in a row after a shocking upset of the Ducks, who came into that game with a -13 line.

Don't bet on a second confluence of good fortune for the Beavers, who are going to find more than they can handle from Utah's defense, and look for Utah's offense to get their feet under them with a less dangerous pass rush and secondary on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

Utah 34, Oregon State 21