First, Utah is not a perfect team. They still struggle to throw the ball, and they have been outgained yardage wise in the majority of their games thus far. Also, Automatic-Andy has only made 2-5 FG's from 40-49 this season. Will that haunt them if they need a long FG for the win at some point? It did last year. Lastly, their D has shown weakness vs the pass this season. It was good to get 5 picks, but they still gave up 340 yards through the air to Cal.

Now, the opponents:

ASU - A team Utah is 0-4 against as a PAC member. ASU throws the ball well and is playing decent defense. Should be a tough game for Utah.

@SoCal - They could tank or circle the wagons. We won't know till they take the field again. Not having a drunk HC might actually be an improvement. If they circle the wagons, they have the talent to challenge Utah through the air, plus a decent defense to go with it.

Oregon State - I actually think this team is improving as the season wears on. I don't think they have the talent to challenge Utah this year, especially in Salt Lake, but keep in mind that Anderson and Sitake know Utah very well. I wouldn't completely rule out an upset, especially since Gary's team could really use a good win this year.

@Washington - Another team that seems to be improving as the season wears on. Utah should be favored, but it is a road game. It won't be easy.

@Arizona - Zona's offense has shredded Utah for three straight seasons. However, Zona's been up and down this year. No idea whether they'll be up or down for this one.

UCLA - A good team with a good defense. This will be game 11 of the season. Will Rosen be up to speed by then?

Colorado - Utah has won 3 straight in this "rivalry" after losing the first one. However, all four games have been decided by a single score. Utah just seems to struggle with these guys.



At this point, if the games were played today, Utah would be favored in all of them. That said, things can change. Booker had 38 touches last game. He's averaging 32 touches per game. That's a very high work load. Does he last the season? If not, then where does Utah find its offense? Even if Booker lasts the season, things happen. Sometimes momentum goes against you. Sometimes the ball bounces funny. Sometimes a QB or his WR's just don't have it that day.

Every last one of those teams is better than your average MWC team. Utah certainly isn't going to coast to victories like they and we did in the MWC. Any single one of these games would have been considered a "big" game if they or we were still in that conference.