Game Day Preview, Score Prediction For Utah Football Vs Colorado Buffaloes

Nov 15, 2024, 5:13 PM

Utah Insider

SALT LAKE CITY—Kyle Whittingham and his Utah football team have traveled to Boulder to take on Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.

This season has not gone according to Utah’s plan. However, Colorado has willed its belief into results, coming into this one 7-2 and ranked No. 18.

Utah has been searching for offensive answers all season long, and unfortunately, that will still be the case in this one.

𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣 💼

🆚 Colorado
🏟️ Folsom Field
⏰ SAT 11.16 | 10:00AM MT
📺 FOX
📻 ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/1HPpsxCmkW

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 11, 2024

However, an opportunity to upset the Buffs would mean a lot for Utes.

Utah vs Colorado

Television: FOX

Streaming: Fubo, YouTube TV

Radio: ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM

Utah vs Colorado Records

Records: Utah (4-5, 1-5); Colorado (7-2, 5-1)

Last Week: Utah loss to BYU 22-21; Colorado win over Texas Tech 41-27

Series History: The all-time series is 35-32-3 in Utah’s favor, and they have won the last seven contests.

Three Game Day Thoughts

1. Utah’s quarterback situation

At this point, Utah’s quarterback situation is a painfully tragic experience bordering on delirium. Utah will enter today’s contest likely relying on their fifth-string quarterback to start and lead the offense against the Buffs.

True freshman Isaac Wilson had been pegged as the starter following Kyle Whittingham’s confirmation of Brandon Rose’s injury situation. However, his health has come into question, perhaps even doubt, over the last 24 hours.

As of Friday evening, Wilson has not been ruled out. However, if he can’t go for the Utes, they will turn to former walk-on Luke Bottari.

2. When will it end?

Utah is on a five-game losing streak for the first time since 2013. The players have battled with a competitive spirit in each one of those games. They’ve prepared for each contest with intention and intensity.

Yet, the results have not been in their favor over the last five games, which has provided a frustrating experience for all involved.

At some point, this group will break through. It may or may not come against Colorado, but the players continue to put in the effort that tends to lead to positive results.

3. Utah vs. Heisman Contenders

Utah will face the Buffs, who feature one of the best players in the game, Travis Hunter.

He is a force on both sides of the ball, which is what makes him unique. He currently has 69 receptions (7th in the nation), 856 yards (12th), and 9 touchdowns (6th). On defense, he has 21 total tackles, 7 passes defended, and 2 interceptions.

Over the last 10 seasons, Utah has faced a number of Heisman contenders. Last season alone, Utah faced all three finalists. Dating back to the 2014 season, here is the list of Heisman contenders Utah has faced:

2023 – Jayden Daniels, LSU (ASU 2019, ASU 2021), Michael Penix Washington, Bo Nix Oregon
2022 – Caleb Williams (twice) USC, C.J. Stroud Ohio State
2017 – Bryce Love Stanford
2015 – Christian McCaffrey Stanford (2014)
2014 – Marcus Mariota Oregon

Two Questions For The Utah-Colorado Game

1. Can Utah pressure Shedeur Sanders?

Though sack numbers have fallen, Utah has still shown the ability to generate pressure, which will be vital to its chances against the Buffs.

Last week against BYU, the Utes ended the game with 21 total pressures. Their 41.7% pressure rate was the highest BYU allowed all season.

Colorado’s last loss of the season came against Kansas State. The Wildcats finished that game with a 40.8% pressure rate. In Colorado’s only other loss this season, Nebraska finished with a 35% pressure rate.

One other team finished with a pressure rate greater than 35%, and that was Baylor, who gave the game away to Colorado.

2. Can Utah run the ball effectively enough?

If Utah is to find a way to victory, it will depend largely on what they’re able to produce on the ground.

Micah Bernard has been a steady presence for Utah this season. They will need him and the run game to come up big against the Buffs.

Utah has to be more willing to incorporate others in the rushing attack as well. Dijon Stanely and Mike Mitchell have both fallen out of the rotation but Utah doesn’t have much choice but to include them more.

Score Prediction for Utah vs Colorado

Colorado itself presents many challenges. Not only are they playing good football, but the hangover from Utah’s rivalry game last week looms over this one.

Now factor in the uncertainty around Utah’s quarterback position and the challenge just seems to grow.

Colorado 24, Utah 14