The Utah Utes (9-3, 8-1) won’t be getting any style points in the polls this week after beating Colorado (4-8, 3-6) 28-13. Utah didn’t cover the massive 23.5 point spread, but honestly, it didn’t seem like they were trying to.

Basically, the Utes took care of business.

Cam Rising Throws 3 Tuddies

Despite throwing his first interception in over 150 attempts just four plays into the Utes’ first drive, QB Cam Rising was responsible for three touchdown throws, along with converting several important third-and-long plays.

Rising’s first touchdown came early in the second quarter, a beautiful 19-yard throw to TE Brant Kuithe. If you’re a quarterback purist, this play was made for you. Colorado had two high safeties, which meant the seam route Kuithe ran had a small window behind the linebackers but in front of the safeties. Rising used his eyes to look the safeties away, then turned and threw a dart right into the skinny window available.

That throw was one of Rising’s best of his career, but he kept the points coming. On Utah’s next drive, he was able to connect with another Tight End, this time Dalton Kinkaid, for a 28-yard touchdown to put the Utes up 14-3.

On the Utes’ next drive, after Colorado returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, RB Tavion Thomas got the points, running 12 yards into the end zone, a common occurrence for him. He now has 17 touchdowns on the season, extending what is already a program single-season record.

The last Rising touchdown came on what was an essential drive for the Utes. Thomas had put the Utes up 21-13, but it was still a one-score game. Rising was able to complete a beautiful throw to WR Britain Covey for a 33-yard gain, then was able to find Covey again on a Mahomes-esque shovel pass that Covey turned into a touchdown.

Rising finished the day 14-23 for 179 yards passing.

The Utes’ Defense has Taken the Next Step

I have been known to use cliches on occasion, and this is a perfect occasion. The Utah defense, which is generally one of the best in the nation, started off this season struggling. Now, however, they’ve taken the next step.

You might also say that they’ve rounded into form. Or maybe that they’re firing on all cylinders. 

However you want to say it, the Utah defense is better than it was earlier this season. Colorado was only able to produce nine first downs in the entire game, they went three-and-out three times, and turned the ball over on downs twice.

Star LB and Butkus Award Nominee Devin Lloyd played one of his best games of the season. He had nine total tackles, six solo, one for a loss, one QB pressure, and one sack. Lloyd displayed his ability to read a play and be right where he needed to be to make a stop. He was good in coverage, too.

LB and Utah native Nephi Sewell played great, leading the team with ten tackles, five solo, and one for a loss.

Most importantly, however, was the Utah defensive front. Led by DE Mika Tafua, who leads the Pac-12 in sacks, the pass rush was able to consistently pressure Colorado QB Brendon Lewis. They achieved this without blitzing very often, which is exactly what turned this good defense into a great one.

There Are Some Complaints, However

It wouldn’t be a Utah victory if there weren’t some stupid mistakes. Utah has struggled this season with special teams, and in this game, those struggles manifested in the shape of a blocked field goal on Utah’s second drive, and the touchdown Colorado returned to start the second half.

Utah has mostly gotten away with this behavior, like they did in the Arizona game, where a punt was blocked. However, the Utes won’t be able to spare a touchdown here or a field goal here in the Pac-12 Championship, or in whatever Bowl Game they get to. Something has to change immediately, and I’m sure Coach Whittingham will be focused on finding a solution to these struggles.

Furthermore, as my complaints are myriad, Utah failed to cover the spread. I didn’t have money on the game or anything, but when the poll committees start getting together to see how Utah did, they will not look favorably on beating Colorado by only two scores.

Whittingham did try to extend the lead in the second and fourth quarters, it seemed, when the Utes went for it on fourth down, but when they attempted their second fourth-down conversion, it was more about controlling the ball than scoring, I would assume.

This isn’t anything to do with how the Utes played, though early drives could’ve been better for sure, and they kept getting into tough spots on third down, but more with the attitude with which they played. Both playcalling and execution seemed relaxed, conservative.

It’s safe to say that Whittingham would rather be rested for the Pac-12 Championship, but the stay-hungry mindset that led to Utah smacking Oregon around wasn’t present in the Colorado game, especially offensively. Rankings are rankings, and ultimately don’t really matter, but beating a bad team by a lot of points should be expected by teams on the up-and-up.

Checking on the Crystal Ball

It’s time to see how everyone’s favorite ball did at predicting various outcomes did this week, and I gotta tell ya folks, this ball is inconsistent.

  • Utah Covers the Spread. This didn’t happen.
  • Utah Runs for 250+ Yards. This did happen, as the Utes finished with 264 total rushing yards.
  • Utah Holds Colorado to Under 250 Total Yards. Colorado put up 84 yards of passing and 64 of rushing, leading to 148 yards of offense. Even including the 100-yard kickoff, the ball would’ve been right.
  • Colorado doesn’t Score a Tuddy Until The Second Half. The ball was a little too on the nose with this one, as Colorado scored their only tuddy on the second-half kickoff, right as the second half started.
  • Tavion Thomas scores Two Touchdowns. The ball failed on this one, as Thomas scored just one touchdown.

This week was inconsistent from the ball, not because it was bad, but because 3/5 is actually decent. Usually, these predictions are anything but.

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