This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
OK, we said it before the season opener. We said it before Fresno State. We've probably said it too many times, but here we say it once more: Here's the real test.
Michigan. The Big House. The Big Ten.
The Utes have started the season on a nice note, but a win over a power conference team on the road will give them legitimacy that doesn't come with thumping an FCS team or an 0-3 Mountain West team. To get a better idea of the match-ups and what to watch for in the game, here's our handy dandy game guide.
Time, Place and [radio waves in] Space • 1:30 p.m. MT, Michigan Stadium. If you're in Utah, you can watch the game on ABC. If you aren't in the regional broadcast zone, tune in on ESPN2.
The Set-Up • The Utes enter the biggest venue in college football hopeful to stay undefeated and end an unfortunate trend of struggling on the road. In their first game against a Power 5 conference team, they'll look to show the same dominance they had in their previous two wins.
Fans Need To Know • The Utes are debuting a feature not seen in 40 years: White helmets. Although some fans feel red might be more appropriate for standing out against the Maize and Blue, Utah will wear all-white jerseys and helmets in Michigan stadium, and is suggesting fans at the game take part also.
Opposing Coach • Brady Hoke, 28-14 record at Michigan. This former SDSU coach has tangled with the Kyle Whittingham-led Utes twice before, but this is the first time as the Wolverines' coach. And his job is on the line based on this season's results.
Utah Ties • Two of Utah's misses in recruiting will line up on Saturday: Highland High products Simone Houma and Bryan Mone. Houma was a fullback — haven't seen the Utes use one of those in a while — who was a three-star prospect out of high school and is now a junior. Mone was a early commit and enrollee to the Wolverines, and as a four-star recruit he's already cracked the rotation. Senior end Nate Orchard won a state championship with the two of them in 2010 as a star player for the Rams, and several other players on the team know Houma and Mone at least by reputation.
Pregame Quotable • The Detroit Free Press reported that Hoke, a defensive specialist, hasn't been gunshy about dropping compliments for Utah's offense: "You look at the points they're putting on the board, and my background's on defense, so it gets you a little nervous."
Media Guide Nugget • According to a story on Michigan football's website this week, Michigan center Jack Miller is the great nephew of former Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who texts him after every game. Uncle Jim won 1,769 games as a MLB manager.
Telling Stat • Between the two teams, Utah is in much better shape in turnover margin, checking in at even compared to Michigan's minus-seven. But both defenses could really use more takeaways: Utah has one recovered fumble on the year while the Wolverines have a single interception.
Wolverines Offensive Outlook • Michigan fans have been fretting over the offensive line, which is big but inexperienced. The two tackles are both first-year starters, including left tackle Mason Cole who is a freshman. Nate Orchard, Hunter Dimick and Jason Fanaika need to find ways to exploit the youth on the edge. The Wolverines have been mum on the health of wideout Devin Funchess, who is unquestionably a freakish athlete and talented receiver, but Amara Darboh helped make up for his absence last week. The Utes will want to stop the power run game led by Derrick Green, which was key to Michigan's overpowering second half last week. That potentially puts a lot of pressure on Gionni Paul and Jared Norris to maneuver through the 300-pound linemen to bring down the ballcarrier quickly. If they do that, it puts the onus on quarterback Devin Gardner, a talented but flawed passer who has thrown four picks already this year.
Wolverines Defensive Outlook • Here's an interesting stat: When Michigan was pounded in a 31-0 rout by Notre Dame, it was the Wolverines who actually gained more yards, 289 to 280. Turnovers killed them, not necessarily this defense. Leading the Big 10 in total yards, the front seven has been a powerful run-stopper, holding the Irish to under 100 yards and Miami (Ohio) to 33. Big uglies Willie Henry and Ryan Glasgow have been block-shredders up front, allowing linebackers Joe Bolden and Jake Ryan to wrap up ball carriers. Could be tough sledding for Devontae Booker and Bubba Poole. Frank Clark is the big name returning at end, but on the opposite side Brennan Beyer has already gotten two sacks. Travis Wilson may get some pressure, but if he has time, he could have an advantage over a secondary that's been a bit in flux. There's been a few starter switches early in the season, and this was the unit that struggled against Notre Dame. The guy some fans like the most is a freshman, Jabrill Peppers. Assuming the offensive line can hold and stays healthy, Dres Anderson, Kenneth Scott and Westlee Tonga could be dangerous in the open field.
Special Teams • The potential difference maker here is Dennis Norfleet, who at 5-foot-7 is a pinball. He's second in program history in kickoff return yards, and a big game against the Utes could edge him past 2000 for his career. Punter Will Hagerup is a senior who is averaging 43 yards per punt, and over the course of his career has been an effective weapon for Michigan. Kicker Matt Wile is also a senior, but has a 8-for-14 career mark on field goals, not necessarily the guy the Wolverines want to use to determine the fate of a close game in the closing minutes.
Required Reading
Injury report • Linebacker Gionni Paul is back, one of a host of Utes who seem to be healthy. Linemen Junior Salt and Saiosi Aiono were back in practice this week and appear ready to start again, as is returner and receiver Kaelin Clay. The biggest forecasted absence is Jason Whittingham, the junior linebacker, who The Tribune has learned will be out about two months with a wrist injury. Defensive end Greg Reese didn't suit up in the last game, but was practicing this week.
Three Big Questions
1. Can the Utes run the ball? • One of the biggest hallmarks of the offense under Dave Christensen so far has been balance. We've seen plenty of aerial fireworks from Travis Wilson and his receivers, but Poole and Booker have set a good tone on the ground. Quarterback runs are also an effective part of the Utes' attack. But the team could fall to earth fast if they can't get any push up front against Michigan's vaunted defense. With Salt and Aiono back in the fold, Utah needs to be aggressive in the trenches to help the backfield grind out yards on the ground. Forcing Michigan to lay off its blitz packages will help Wilson perform at his best.
2. Can the defensive line keep it up? • Fans concerned from a pedestrian day against Idaho State had to be breathing in relief after the Utes dominated Fresno State in the trenches all day long. Aside from a few dashes by Brandon Connette, the Bulldogs couldn't rush at all, and the sacks and tackles for a loss kept going up and up. How does that work against a full-fledged Big Ten program? Michigan used the power run game to great effectiveness last week, and will likely try to do so again if they aren't fully healthy at receiver. Putting the run game on its heels will put a lot of pressure on Gardner, and he hasn't held up well to pressure throughout the course of his career.
3. How can the Utes get the edge in the turnover battle? • Brian Blechen said it best at the beginning of the week: This defense needs an interception, and they'll have chances to get some. The secondary has not yet shown a lot of proclivity for ball-hawking, but they need to. Will it be Rowe, Hatfield, Thomas, Carter, or Blechen himself? Can maybe a linebacker or lineman grab one? Someone needs to. Meanwhile, Utah's offense can do its part by holding on to the football. Michigan's defense hasn't been great either at generating takeaways, but Wilson needs to keep up his recent streak of taking care of the football.
Think we're missing something? Have a prediction for the game? Leave a comment below or chat with us on Twitter. Big House on Saturday — buckle up.
— Kyle Goon
Twitter: @kylegoon