The Utah Utes will cross the border and head to Boulder to take on the Colorado Buffaloes from Folsom Field on the Pac-12 Network. Dubbed as the ‘Rumble in Rockies’, Colorado and Utah faced off in every season from 1903-1958, with the Utes now holding a 33-32 series lead after winning nine of the last ten meetings.
Utah dropped to 8-3 after falling to Oregon in Autzen in Week 12. The Utes and the Ducks played to a stalemate for three periods before a fourth-quarter field goal would put UO over the top and in the driver's seat to play in the Pac-12 championship. Utah puts up 37.3 points per game, while passing for 244.8 yards per game (99th), and rushing for 205.2 ypg (36th). The Utah defense allows 20.1 points per game.
Cam Rising hit a low last weekend at the Zoo. The junior quarterback gave into the fierce Oregon crowd, failing to produce a touchdown and tossing three picks. Rising will certainly look to bounce back here in Boulder, and get the Utes back in the win column. Rising has thrown for 2,395 passing yards with 19 touchdowns to seven interceptions, and he’s run for 378 rushing yards and eight scores.
Tavion Thomas turned the clock back with a season-high 180 yards and two scores in the win over Stanford. The former 21-TD scorer leads Utah in rushing again this season with 687 yards and seven scores. Dalton Kincaid stepped up with All-Pac 12 tight end Brant Kuithe going down with an ACL injury. The senior tight end posted a monster line in the memorable win over USC, and he leads Utah with 61 receptions, 748 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.
Colorado fell to 1-10 after being blown out by Washington in Seattle. The Buffaloes traveled to the northwest and endured their worst loss of the season, losing by 47 points and being outgained 575-202. Colorado scores 14.9 points per game, while passing for 177.5 yards per game (226th), and rushing for 112.5 ypg (236th). The Colorado defense has surrendered 42.8 points per game.
The Buffs never recovered from an injury to returning starter Brendan Lewis and its led to incompetent quarterback play. J.T. Shrout has thrown for 1,220 passing yards with seven touchdowns to eight interceptions through nine appearances. Alex Fontenot returned after missing more than half of the season and gained 124 yards against USC.
Colorado showed no pulse last weekend, and their senior day might be really gloomy. Utah’s chance at repeating as Pac-12 champions ended last weekend in Oregon, but they still have a shot at notching a straight 10-win season with a victory here in Boulder. This one’s got blowout potential, so trust Utah’s spread this weekend.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
