5 Bold Predictions For Arizona Football vs. Utah

By Ryan Aston

5 Bold Predictions for Arizona vs. Utah

Nick Wilson Arizona Wildcats Utah Utes — In a battle featuring two teams clinging to life in the Pac-12 South division race, the Arizona Wildcats will travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes this Saturday. Here are five bold predictions for what should be one of the more entertaining bouts of the college football weekend.

5. Anu Solomon Will Burn the Utes for Big Yardage

Anu Solomon Arizona Wildcats Utah Utes Quarterback - Copy

5. Anu Solomon Will Burn the Utes for Big Yardage

Anu Solomon Arizona Wildcats Utah Utes Quarterback — Freshman sensation Anu Solomon will have opportunities to rack up major yardage through the air and move the Wildcats between the 20s. Whether or not they can score once they get to the red zone could be a different story, but Solomon should keep the ball moving on a Utah defense that will occasionally give up the big play.

4. DeVontae Booker Will Rush for 100+ Yards

DeVontae Booker Utah Utes Rushing Attack - Copy

4. DeVontae Booker Will Rush for 100+ Yards

DeVontae Booker Utah Utes Rushing Attack — Arizona's Nick Wilson could have a good game; the Utes have been less effective against the run in their previous two games. However, it will be the Utes' DeVontae Booker who really goes off on the ground. He should be able to find holes and the end zone against an Arizona D that is giving up 158.8 rushing yards per game.

3. The Pass Rush Will Be in Full Effect

Scooby Wright Arizona Wildcats Nate Orchard Utah - Copy

3. The Pass Rush Will Be in Full Effect

Scooby Wright Arizona Wildcats Nate Orchard Utah — Both teams feature players with an elite-level ability to get to the quarterback. Utah's Nate Orchard and Arizona's Scooby Wright should both be able to break the line and get opposing offenses into third-and-long situations. How they respond to the pressure will be a major key in claiming a win.

2. The Utes Will Have Their Best Offensive Performance of the Pac-12 Season

Travis Wilson Utah Utes Offense Arizona - Copy

2. The Utes Will Have Their Best Offensive Performance of the Pac-12 Season

Travis Wilson Utah Utes Offense Arizona — While they have struggled to put up points on the road (at least in regulation), the Utes have scored major points in some of their home victories. Alas, their best performances came out of conference and against lesser competition. Look for Utah to have their best offensive showing against a Pac-12 opponent via a heavy work load for Booker, some quarterback runs and the play-action pass with the occasional deep throw.

1. Tom Hackett, Field Position Will Determine the Outcome

Tom Hackett Utah Utes Punter Field Position Wildcats

1. Tom Hackett, Field Position Will Determine the Outcome

Tom Hackett Utah Utes Punter Field Position Wildcats - Copy — Both teams have benefited on special teams from their punters pinning the opposition deep in their own territory with regularity. Utah's star return man Kaelin Clay will mitigate some of Arizona's effectiveness in this regard, while Ute punter Tom Hackett will show why he is a game-changer on fourth down. Field position will play a big role in the outcome of the game and is a major reason why I expect Utah to escape with the win.

Ryan Aston covers the Utah Jazz for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @MrMaryKateOlsen or add him to your network on Google.

Teams in this video »

Arizona Wildcats

•

Utah Utes

Share On Facebook

Share