:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55868783/usa_today_9601273.0.jpg)
Utah at Arizona
Friday, Sept. 22nd
8:30 p.m. MT
Tucson, Ariz.
Utah is very familiar with this Arizona team. The Utes greeted the Wildcats last season to Rice-Eccles Stadium with 11 first-half penalties, including eight false starts, and went into the half trailing 14-12. While Utah fans gave up, and Arizona thought they had it in the bag, quarterback Troy Williams lit up the stadium in the second half, running for two touchdowns and throwing another, to defeat Arizona 36-23 on a Saturday night.
This year the Utes are making the voyage to Tucson. Hoping this won’t be a repeat of the 2015 season when they lost to the Wildcats 30-37 in double overtime. The Utes will really have to utilize their biggest strength – their attacking potential up front – if they want to walk out with a W.
The biggest strengths for the Arizona Wildcats are obviously Nick Wilson and J.J. Taylor. If the two running backs are healthy, it could be a devastating outcome for the Utes. With an experienced line and Brandon Dawkins at quarterback, Utah’s defense can’t afford to sit this one out. Arizona does lose a lot at wide receiver and does not have a returning player at the position that is 6’0”.
Something that the Utes don’t need to worry about is the Arizona defense. Like seriously, where has it been over the last two years? If you see it, give me a call. With no experience in the front six, this should be a field day for Utah’s offense.
Utah and Arizona will meet early in the season but hopefully it’s enough time for senior quarterback Troy Williams to find some consistency, and the offensive line to become productive as it is only returning one starter (right tackle Sales Uhatale). This is Utah’s first Pac-12 game, and on paper, it looks to be their easiest, so they cannot afford to start out 0-1 in conference play.
Toughest Games in 2017 Countdown