Utah Utes (2-0) vs. Oregon Ducks (1-1)
Saturday, September 19, 12:30 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Oregon -5.0

Sam’s Take (14 – 4):

These two programs finished the 2008 season as well as any in the country, but right now, I think both have a lot of improving to do. In four combined games, I have seen inconsistent play out of the Utes and Ducks, so it will be interesting to see which team makes the biggest strides Saturday.

I believe the key to this game will be the Oregon rushing attack vs. the Utah run defense. The running game sets everything up in Chip Kelly’s misdirection spread scheme, but the Ducks have been inconsistent on the ground through two games. The Utes have a stingy front seven that will look to overpower a shaky Ducks offensive line, and right now I give the edge in that matchup to Utah. However, I do believe that if the UO line can play like it did in the latter part of the Purdue game, then playmakers like LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner will have a chance to hit some big plays.

I also believe the Ducks will need to get more receivers involved this week. Against Purdue, QB Jeremiah Masoli only completed passes to only four players, but most troubling is the limited role that TE Ed Dickson has had so far (3 catches in two games). Dickson is an All-America caliber player who should be the focal point of the passing attack, and I can only hope that is more involved this week.

The Utah offense will be hoping to have a relatively healthy RB Matt Asiata available, and if he’s good to go the Ducks will have to deal with a bruising tailback with deceptive quickness. The Utes are feeling pretty good about what new QB Terrance Cain can do as well, so the Ducks D will have to be sharp in coverage. Nick Alliotti’s unit came up with a some huge plays last week to help secure the win, and this week will require more of the same. Walter Thurmond and Co. may even have to score again in order to support an offense that is still a definite work in progress.

Utah is looking to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 17 games, and on a neutral field I would likely pick them to take this game. But I believe Autzen gives the home team an extra boost on both sides of the ball, and that energy will be enough to propel the Ducks to a very close win.

Prediction: Oregon 34 – Utah 30

Utah Player to Keep an Eye On: LB Stevenson Sylvester - He is the anchor of the defense and will be one of the keys to the game on Saturday.

Oregon Player to Keep an Eye On: TE Ed Dickson - I can’t reiterate enough how much I believe Dickson needs to get the ball more. This may be the game that jump-starts his season.

Dave’s Take (14 – 4):

After losing 11 starters this offseason (including quarterback Brian Johnson), Utes fans were concerned that there might be a major drop off this season; and less than stellar efforts in the first two games of the season haven’t done much to quiet those concerns. For Oregon, hopes of a big season have now been met with fears of a disastrous one.

One of these teams will send their fans home with a big sigh of relief and some cautious optimism moving forward. The other will raise even more questions than the first two games have already provided.

Utah has won both of their games so far this year, but both were against inferior opponents. Last week’s game against San Jose State saw the Utes take a 7-7 tie into the 4th quarter before eventually pulling away.

JuCo transfer QB Terrance Cain has looked strong in both the passing and running game so far this season, but with all due respect to San Jose State’s fans, he hasn’t been road-tested in a hostile environment like Autzen yet. He’ll get his share of yards this Saturday, but Oregon’s defense has a knack for making big plays, and the crowd might force him into some mistakes.

For Oregon, it is going to come down to line play. Utah’s D-Line is one of its best units, and if the O-Line doesn’t open up lanes for the running backs and buy Jeremiah Masoli time when he needs it, it’ll be a long day. And as uncomfortable as Oregon fans might make Terrance Cain, it will all be for naught if the D-Line isn’t doing their part to disrupt him, too.

I haven’t seen enough out of either of these teams to pick either of them with any confidence at this point. Unless Oregon’s lines take a big step forward, it looks to me like Utah will win those battles; and with their dangerous running game led by Matt Asiata, that might be the difference. Oregon will have to show us something we haven’t seen out of them in the first two weeks defensively to win this one; and I can’t pick them until they do.

Prediction: Utah 31 – Oregon 28