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Trap game?

That's what some, including College Hotline guru Jon Wilner, have called San Jose State's date with the Utes on Saturday night.http://bit.ly/2cUNcdb";> The placement (between BYU and USC) and the opponent (a middling Mountain West program) show characteristics of a game that could draw — http://bit.ly/2co9KiA";>let's say "less robust" — motivation for Utah.

And yet, the Utes aren't exactly world-beaters yet. While they're hovering just outside the top 25, they have put together a shutout with a less-than-impressive offensive day, and http://bit.ly/2cOjkQU";>a one-point victory while giving away six turnovers. If Utah is focused internally, it shouldn't lack for motivation to improve. The defense has been tremendous so far considering the compromising positions it has been placed in, but without Kylie Fitts (for the season) and Dominique Hatfield (presumably also out this week), there's plenty to worry about. Then the offense ... well, the current course probably isn't good for Kyle Whittingham's blood pressure.

So instead of a "trap game," it might be better thought of as a "measurement game." The Utes will find out how they can measure up in their third game after being exposed on offense and banged up in several key positions. It will start giving a picture into how Utah responds to adversity, and how the trajectory looks for the rest of the season.

Time, Place and [Radio Waves in] Space • It's a late one at CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, kicking off at 8:30 p.m. MDT on CBS Sports Network on Saturday night. If you want to listen in, Bill Riley will be on the call on ESPN 700 AM.

Line • The Utes are 13.5-point favorites over SJSU,http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/teams/team-page.cfm/team/utah";> according to Vegas Insider. Utah is 0-2 against the spread so far this year.

Opposing Coach • Ron Caragher is in a somewhat odd place in his fourth season. He quickly lost the momentum now-CU head coach Mike MacIntyre built, but also has won six games twice in his last three seasons at a place where it is traditionally tough to win. A coach who came north from San Diego, Caragher is looking to get to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1987. A season-opening pummeling at Tulsa wasn't the best indicator for that happening this year.

Utah Ties • The Utes have a lot of interesting coaching ties to SJSU: Ron McBride was a Spartan player, and coached with Caragher at Kentucky. Dennis Erickson was an offensive coordinator there under Jack Elway in the late 70s, early 80s. Utah grad Lynn Stiles was Elway's predecessor. Then there's player ties, as several Utes and Spartans went to the same high schools. Perhaps most notable are Troy Williams' many ties:http://bit.ly/2cYEdsw";> He was teammates with Deontae Cooper at Washington, he faced quarterback Kenny Potter in high school, and three SJSU players went to Narbonne High, where Williams was a prep star (most are younger than he is, though).

Pregame Quotable • Senior offensive lineman Isaac Asiata on the team's first road trip: "They get excited. http://bit.ly/2d6DrIY";>Some kids from Cali are going back home. You ride a plane for the first time with the team. We go to a movie. We have these great dinners. But the No. 1 reason we're going on a road trip is for a business trip, and to win a game. That's the mentality you have to have in your mind. The only reason I'm going on this trip is to win a game."

Media Guide Nugget • While Ron McBride did have a memorable coaching career, he's not close to the two most famous alums-turned coaches: Both Dick Vermeil and Bill Walsh played football at San Jose State before going on to become Super Bowl-winning coaches.

Pro Football Focus Revelations • The good folks https://www.profootballfocus.com/college-football/";>at Pro Football Focus sent some analysis of Utah's BYU performance as well as some season-long analysis (albeit that's a small sample size) of Utah's running backs. Among the interesting findings:

1. Quarterback Troy Williams still had a positive overall production grade of plus-1.6 despite throwing three interceptions, making up some ground with his pass completions and explosive plays.

2. PFF's top-graded offensive lineman was right guard Salesi Uhatafe with a plus-2.3 grade thanks to his pass blocking. Left tackle Garett Bolles would've been in the positive if not for a drag-down minus-2.9 grade specifically in penalties.

3. Defensive end Pita Taumoepenu led the nation (by PFF's system) in QB pressures with 13 total, including a sack.

4. Junior Troy McCormick leads all Utah backs so far with a plus-2.3 production grade out of the backfield, while freshman Zack Moss has a plus-0.1 production grade. At the time of his retirement, RB Joe Williams had a minus-3.8 production grade from PFF, which in part grades how backs take advantage of opportunities, and how they produce yards after contact.

Spartans Offensive Outlook • Senior quarterback Kenny Potter wasn't perfect last season, but he did finish as the Mountain West's most accurate passer with a 67.4 completion percentage. He can run, too, with over 400 yards on the ground last year. Potter's dual threat supplements his running back corps, with Cooper and Zamore Zigler as the main rushing threats (NFL Draft pick Tyler Ervin still figures to be tough to replace, though). Potter has a stable of returning pass-catchers, including award candidates receiver Tim Crawley and tight end Billy Freeman. The offensive line is considered a plus position for SJSU with a lot of returners, but one starting tackle, Nate Velichko, is out this week. The ground game was huge against Portland State, racking up 409 rushing yards thanks to Cooper, Zigler and Malik Robertson. SJSU has eight plays of 30 or more yards this year, so containment will be key. Utah's line will have to plug that up first and foremost, but Potter is still a threat in the air.

Spartans Defensive Outlook • The thing that has to jump out to the Utes is the plus-six turnover margin last week, which came from three picks and three fumble recoveries. The Spartans also have five sacks so far this year, most of which came in their season-opening loss to Tulsa. That being said, SJSU is also No. 110 in scoring defense and No. 116 in total defense so far. There's a few playmakers to look out for. Defensive end Eugene Taylor is SJSU's returning sack leader and recovered a fumble, cornerback Andre Chachere caught two INTs, linebacker Frank Ginda already has two tackles and a recovered fumble this year and linebacker Christian Tago is a tackling machine. The key here seems to be, unsurprisingly, for Utah to hold onto the ball — the yards and points will be there, if the first two games are any indication.

Spartans Special Teams Outlook • Caragher gave a special shout-out this week to kicker Bryce Crawford going 9 for 9 on PATs last week and making a field goal attempt, saying it's been "a long time since that happened." On the other hand, the battle of punters should be interesting. Punter Michael Carrizosa was one of Tom Hackett's chief competitors for the Ray Guy Award last year, and he's averaging 42.8 yards per boot. The Spartans have yet to break a big return this year.

Injury Report • Yikes. http://bit.ly/2cm694K";>Running back Joe Williams retired from football, citing mental and physical fatigue. Defensive end Kylie Fitts is done for the year with a foot injury, and Utah is hoping to appeal for a sixth year of eligibility. Tyrone Smith and Caleb Repp are MIA on the depth chart, and Repp was seen last week in street clothes. Dominique Hatfield is still uncertain with a leg injury. On San Jose State's side, offensive tackle Nate Velichko is out for the week, and linebacker Christian Tago has yet to play due to injury.

Three Big Questions

1. How does Troy Williams respond? The consistent message from the offense this week was that they moved the ball — http://bit.ly/2cvSHj4";>they just gave it away. A huge chunk of that rests on the fumbles that were so prevalent against BYU, and that's an entire team problem. But Troy Williams has to be taking a very hard look in the mirror after three picks, two of which were easily preventable by simply tossing the ball away. Williams has shown the ability to stretch the field with his arm, and his pocket presence was impressive against the Cougars. But he can't make unforced errors that lead to huge momentum shifts in the game. Williams said he suffered through a tough film study on Monday. Saturday will provide him a chance to show what he learned.

2. How does Utah fill in for injuries/departures? It was a momentous roster week, as Joe Williams left the program, Fitts was lost for the season, and other shifts on the depth chart reflect potentially concerning injuries. Sophomore receivers Tyrone Smith and Caleb Repp are MI, and Dominique Hatfield has now missed two straight weeks. What's up with those guys? Utah's depth is already being tested early in the season, while the Utes' bye is still a month-and-a-half away. There's definitely optimism about Zack Moss taking over at running back, but don't forget he's a freshman. Cory Butler-Byrd's return is a boon for the receiving corps, but he's only had one career catch. The defensive line and secondary have been sound, but the Utes can't afford another starter at either position to go down. Depending on how long several of these performers are out, Utah could really start feeling the heat of shallow depth.

3. Can the defense keep a lid on SJSU's run game while running the ball itself? Key to last week's success was how San Jose State was grinding on the ground. Two (and almost three) backs had 100-plus yards, opening up Portland State to be massacred. Utah found success against BYU because it was able to limit Jamaal Williams and put pressure on Taysom Hill. Trying to slow down the Spartans will start on the ground as well, forcing Kenny Potter to have to throw his way out of third and long. Utah has thrived in the past on forcing long third downs and has the defensive line to bottle up those gaps. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Zack Moss and Troy McCormick to see how they fare as the top two running backs. The final 11-minute drive of the fourth quarter against BYU is as close to their offensive identity as Utah has gotten — can they consistently produce quality, clock-eating drives like that?

kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon