No. 10 Utah seeks to avenge loss in rematch with fellow Big 12 newcomer Arizona
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) tries to get past Kansas State cornerback Keenan Garber (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Arizona (2-1, 0-0 Big 12) at No. 10 Utah (4-0, 1-0), Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Utah by 12 1/2.
Series record: Utah 26-20-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Following a bye week, Arizona officially opens Big 12 play against fellow league newcomer Utah. The Wildcats routed the Utes 42-18 a year ago to snap a six-game losing streak in the series. Utah looked impressive in a 22-19 win over Oklahoma State and is eager to dish out revenge. Arizona could use an upset win to resolve questions about its offense following a 31-7 loss to Kansas State two weeks earlier.
KEY MATCHUP
Can Arizona’s front seven stop Utah’s resurgent rushing attack? The Utes piled up a season-high 249 yards on the ground against Oklahoma State. Micah Bernard led the way with a career-best 182 yards on a career-high 25 carries. The Wildcats have allowed 222.5 rushing yards per game against FBS opponents this season.
Oklahoma State safety Trey Rucker (9) trips Utah running back Micah Bernard (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Stillwater, Okla. Credit: AP/Mitch Alcala
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arizona: Moving the chains against Utah will come down to how much Tetairoa McMillan is involved in the offense. McMillan tallied 116 yards and a touchdown on eight catches versus the Utes a year ago. He has nine career games with 100 or more receiving yards and leads the Big 12 with 151.0 receiving yards per game.
Utah: Will Bernard make it four in a row? Bernard is the first Utah running back since Ty Jordan in 2020 to put up three straight 100-yard rushing games after having just two 100-games in his career entering the season. He leads the Big 12 with 456 total rushing yards while averaging 6.9 yards per carry.
FACTS & FIGURES
Utah leads the Big 12 with 3.0 sacks per game. Utes defensive end Van Fillinger tops the league with 5.5 sacks through four games. … Arizona QB Noah Fifita needs three touchdown passes to pass Matt Scott for 12th place in the school’s career passing touchdowns list. … Utah leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth nationally in time of possession (36:21). … Arizona’s last road win against Utah came in 2014. … Utah is one of three Big 12 teams – along with UCF and Kansas State – rushing for at least 200 yards per game while holding opponents under 100. The Utes average 206.3 rushing yards and allow 93.8 yards on the ground per contest.
