Oregon Faces Utah Utes Sack Happy Defense on Saturday

Oct 12, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Travis Wilson (7) looks to pass during the first half Stanford Cardinal at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Utah did one thing that made them dangerous to the rest of the Pac 12. The Utes beat Stanford at home last month. Their home record is 3-3. They are 1-2 on the road this season and that doesn’t bode well in Autzen against Oregon on Saturday unless a few things go right. The fifth ranked team in the Pac 12 has proven they can play defense. One way is be getting to the Quarterback, which they have done a total of 33 times so far. The Utes also have a weapon on Special teams averaging   55 yards per punt with a 70 yard punt kicked  blast weekend.

On Offense Utah is led by Sophomore Travis Wilson who has thrown 16 touchtowns, but also 16 interceptions. Running Back Bubba Poole has just under 600 yards on the season with one lone score. On the other side Oregon Quarterback Marcus Mariota has thrown for just over 2500 yards, 22 touchdowns and no interceptions so far in 2013. The only blemish on the Walter Camp Award Semifinalist’s record is not beating Stanford the last two seasons. He is also still a Heisman finalist, but the Ducks know to get back into the National Title picture, as remote as it is, they must win out and get some help.

Some of that help could come on Saturday night as USC takes on Stanford. A Stanford loss give the Ducks control of their own fate, kind of. An Oregon win and Cardinal loss would give the Ducks back control of the Pac 12 Title Game on December 7th, but one thing at a time.

The Oregon Ducks face the Utes at Autzen on Saturday. (1pm, Fox Sports 1)

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