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Going against a quarterback who will almost certainly one day be the most prolific passer the Pac-12 has ever seen, the Utes would like to be full strength for Thursday's game against Oregon State.

It would be a huge boost to have Tevin Carter, who exited the UCLA game early after picking off Brett Hundley for six. He also missed the game against Washington State, and the limbo of his health status has become a popular topic at press conferences.

Will he be ready to go against Sean Mannion and the Beavers? Depends on who you ask.

Corner Eric Rowe, opining on Carter's impact this year, surprised the media when he spoke in past tense.

"He was a huge impact," he said. "First year, I think he only played like five games, four or five games. It does hurt, but now we have a freshman coming up, so he'll step up to the challenge."

Other hints were dropped. Reporters asked linebacker Jared Norris if the defense will be ready to go whether Carter can play or not. After complimenting the play of freshman Andre Godfrey against the Bruins, Norris said, "It's It's a big loss. Next guy picks up the rifle and goes."

Kyle Whittingham was sunnier, although perhaps not quite as sunny as last week when he said he was "optimistic" Carter would play.

"He's up in the air right now, we're hoping for the best," he said. "Kind of like last week, when we hoped for the best. He was able to play for a portion of the game, but wasn't able to finish the game."

The Utes don't generally discuss the nature of injuries, so only the team can see through the cloud of uncertainty on Carter's status. Whittingham said Godfrey is likely the next guy up for the second straight game if Carter's not available.

Utah would clearly benefit from his play: In three games and change this season, the former junior college All-American has 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and two picks with 86 return yards. His speed and size will be missed if he can't suit up against Oregon State.

Fellow senior safety Brian Blechen can empathize.

"Getting a season-ending injury would be one tough thing, because you know you're out, but for him to just have a little nagging thing and come back, play a little bit, and get another nagging thing and have to be out for a bit, I know he's bummed out," he said. "But he'll be back real soon, and he's doing fine, because I think he's happy for the team, and as soon as he's back we'll be ready, and we're just going to try to keep winning."

Wilson working through 'frustrating' experience

It's not hard to imagine Travis Wilson's plight: After going 2 for 5 in the first quarter against UCLA, thanks to at least two drops, he was pulled for the backup. Just about anyone in those shoes would like a little more opportunity to prove themselves.

Wilson acknowledged getting switched out and having to watch the rest of the game from the sideline wasn't how he wanted things to go. But talking about the game after Monday's practice, Wilson also said he saw the other side as well.

"It was tough, but it's a coaches' decision," he said. "Kendal was playing well, and I think he earned [a chance] to finish out that game."

Whittingham still isn't revealing his starting quarterback, but Kendal Thompson's performance and energy against UCLA definitely speaks strongly in his favor. At the very least, Wilson has been set back to where he was in fall camp, trying to battle for his starting role.

It's hard to swallow for anyone, but receiver Dres Anderson said he hasn't observed the junior's work ethic take a dive in the practices since.

"Travis has been good, he's been doing the same things," Anderson said. "He hasn't been walking around with his head down, like, 'Aww, they took me out,' or whatever. He's coming to prepare the same, he's still been doing a great job, and he's still a leader on this team."

Wilson had one of his most prolific games against Oregon State last year, throwing for 279 yards and two scores, and running for 142 yards and three more. Though he threw three picks, he was a huge reason the Utes were in the game at the finish.

He'd like to be able to follow up that performance this Thursday, but he said he'll be ready to roll with whatever Utah requires of him.

"It's definitely frustrating, but it is what it is," he said. " I believe everything happens for a reason. I'll be just fine."

Max pro could be problematic

Utah's defensive front is nothing if not confident after knocking down Brett Hundley 10 times a week ago. The front four will take most one-on-one match-ups they're given.

The problem Oregon State presents is many of those match-ups won't be one-on-ones at all. The Beavers are notable for their max-protect schemes aimed at putting more blockers in, as opposed to spread offenses which simply spread defenses apart. Between Mannion's quick release and the extra time he gets from his blockers, it can be a deadly combo.

It's possible, Whittingham said, that OSU dedicates more snaps than usual to max protection out of respect for the No. 1 team in sacks.

"It's very possible," he said. "They've been a team that max protects a good portion of the time anyway, so it's not totally out of their character."

As a pocket passer, the 6-foot-5 Mannion is elite, needing only 588 yards to break the Pac-12 passing yards record held by USC's Matt Barkley. Mannion has new linemen and new receivers around him that may be exploitable, but his strength and timing make him a challenge.

The proof, Hunter Dimick said, is simply in the tape from last Homecoming.

"We got to get quicker to him than we did last year," he said. "Watching last year, we were almost to him, just one or two steps behind. So we've got to find a way to get the same pressure we've gotten this year."

Beavers boast two-headed running back

Between Storm Woods and Terron Ward, equality rules. If you want to say one is better than another, it's only by a yard.

Woods has 59 carries for 342 yards. Ward has 59 carries ... for 343.

The area where one really stands out is in touchdowns: Ward has found endzone paydirt six times to Woods' three. But there's no doubt that having both helps Mannion quite a bit.

"They're doing a nice job," Whittingham said. "They've got that one-two punch at running back. ... That will be a good match-up because we've been defending the run pretty good, in fact the we're the best in the league as far as yards per carry, which is the real measuring stick."

Ward and Woods face a formidable Utah run defense which has only allowed three rushing touchdowns this year. Echoing Whittingham's swagger, Norris said the Utes welcome the challenge.

"They've been trying to run the ball a lot more than they usually do, but that fits perfectly with what we do on defense: We stop the run," Norris said. "There's not one person in our front seven that says we're scared of people running the ball against us. We welcome the run."

Hale still on the comeback trail

With another linebacker lost due to injury last week, there's a bit of a countdown clock for linebacker Jacoby Hale. Coaches and fans alike would like to see Utah's leading sack artist from last season back on the field after tearing his ACL in spring ball.

Whittingham said last week that Oregon State may be too soon for Hale's return, but he'll be joining the action in a few weeks. Hale was suited up in practice Monday afternoon.

Fellow linebacker Norris said he's eager to get some relief: With Uaea Masina out for the year and Jason Whittingham out indefinitely, the healthy guys could use a spell.

"Yeah, definitely, it will give us a lot more depth," Norris said of Hale's potential return. "Toward the tail end of the season, we'll play teams that play hurry-up offense. Everybody's got this fast tempo. You kind of need a break sometime. Playing at 75 percent is a lot worse than playing at 100, so you can take yourself out if you need to."

If seven months seems like a quick recovery for a torn ACL, it is. Norris said Hale's determination has shone through during his rehab process.

"Jacoby is one of those guys, if he wants something, he's going to go get it," he said.

Matthew Piper contributed to this story.

Kyle Goonkgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon