This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah and Utah State debuted on polarizing ends of the "promising" spectrum in Week One of the season. Utah came out strong, overcoming the Harbaugh hype for a 24-17 victory over Michigan. Utah State struggled to convince, edging out Southern Utah 12-9 at home. The Aggies and Utes meet this week at Rice-Eccles Stadium, both hoping to get a non-conference win in the in-state rivalry. Here's a position-by-position look at this week's matchup and which team will have the edge heading into Friday's game:
Quarterback
Travis Wilson looked strong commanding Utah's offense against the Wolverines, connecting with eight different receivers for 208 yards and one inconsequential interception on a Hail Mary attempt. Wilson also showed his rushing ability, gaining 53 yards on the ground and scoring a touchdown. Utah State held SUU quarterback Ammon Olsen to a modest 111 yards passing, but Wilson should have more success this week.
In his return from injury, Chuckie Keeton looked rusty at best. He finished the game completing only 16 of 33 passes for an interception and zero touchdowns. The Aggies look to be short on receiving options for at least the next couple of games, which may force Keeton to do more with his legs for USU's offense. He'll also be dealing with a tough Utah defensive front that despite not recording a sack against Michigan, will still give him trouble.
Edge: Utah
Running back
Devontae Booker took a while to get it going against Michigan, the Wolverines focusing most of their defensive energy to stop him. He managed a modest 25 yards on the ground in the first half, before finishing the game with 69 yards and a score. He also caught seven passes for 55 yards, showing off his potential to be a big part of the Utes' passing game moving forward. The Aggies held strong against SUU, allowing only 52 total rushing yards. Booker will have his work cut out for him, but should have more of an impact on the ground than last week.
USU was more successful on the ground than through the air between sophomore LaJuan Hunt and JuCo transfer Devante Mays. Hunt racked up 80 yards on 23 attempts, while Mays made the most of his carries, breaking away for 51 yards on only four carries. Keeton added 11 yards of his own, but the Aggies will need more consistency to milk some clock against the Utes, who held Michigan to only 76 yards on the ground.
Edge: Utah
Wide receivers and tight ends
Freshman Britain Covey was lauded all fall camp long for strong practices and translated it onto the field against Michigan. He was consistently open in the middle of the field, catching five passes for 58 yards. Booker added his aforementioned production to the passing game, but the outside receivers struggled, Kenneth Scott catching only two passes for 15 yards. Wilson will have to do a better job involving Scott to take the passing game to the next level.
The Aggies missed Hunter Sharp and Brandon Swindall sorely against SUU and neither is expected back against Utah. Without them, the rest of Utah State's receiving corps struggled to get separation, limiting Keeton to the aforementioned low numbers. Devonte Robinson led the team with three catches for 39 yards, but Utah State will have get the ball down the field more consistently against a Utes secondary that allowed Michigan's receivers to get behind them several times.
Edge: Utah
Offensive line
Kyle Whittingham lamented his offensive line's ability to push against a stout Michigan front seven earlier this week, limiting Devontae Booker's impact. However, the unit also kept Travis Wilson clean, holding the Wolverines to a single sack and largely giving their quarterback time to look downfield. The Aggies will be a bigger challenge after racking up five sacks against SUU, defensive star Kyler Fackrell accounting for two on his own. Utah's tackles will have to limit Fackrell's impact and the entire offensive line will have to keep an eye on game-changing linebacker Nick Vigil.
Southern Utah brought Keeton down for a sack only once, but the stat is deceiving. Keeton was under pressure and the offensive line opened few holes for the running game, Hunt needing 23 attempts to gain his 80 yards. Utah didn't get to the quarterback in the season opener, but the Utes will be hungry to get there this week. The Aggies linemen will have their hands full.
Edge: Utah
Defensive line and linebackers
The highly-touted Utes defensive front seemed befuddled by Michigan last week, the Wolverines getting the ball out quickly to stay ahead of the pass rush. The unit performed well against the run, holding the Wolverines to only 76 yards, but will have to get that final step to bring Keeton down. Gionni Paul was all over the field against Michigan, amassing 14 tackles, but also cost the Utes with a few personal foul penalties. The onus is on Jason Fanaika and Hunter Dimick to keep Keeton uncomfortable and contained if he attempts to run to the edges.
If it's one position on the field the Aggies can go toe-to-toe with the Utes, it's at linebacker. Fackrell, who lost last season to injury, looked explosive and strong against SUU, scoring two sacks, five tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Vigil is the leader of the defense and is a tackling machine with 13 tackles and two tackles for loss last week. Both will be charged with harassing Wilson and containing Booker this week, a tougher task than taking on SUU's offensive line, but the Aggies are full of talent in the front seven.
Edge: Even
Secondary
Whittingham announced Monday that Dominique Hatfield was reinstated to the team and the Utes may need his talents as soon as possible. He could play Friday night and would help out Cory Butler-Byrd and Reggie Porter on the outside after both lost sight and containment of Michigan's receivers downfield last week. Utah nabbed three interceptions and will have an easier time against Utah State's weakened receiving corps, but the threat of the deep ball is still there. Justin Thomas also played well for Utah after his pick-six, showing depth for when Hatfield takes back a prominent role.
The Aggies held SUU to 111 yards passing, looking strong against the pass. Jalen Davis was ferocious, breaking up three passes and recording four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. The Aggies will first have to limit Scott, but Covey is quickly becoming the second priority to defend on Utah's offense. Utah State will have to make sure he doesn't own the routes over the middle of the field. Utah gets a slight edge here.
Edge: Utah
Prediction: Utah State looked shaky in its season debut and is devoid of weapons in the receiving game to help Chuckie Keeton out. Keeton has pushed the Utes in the past and Fackrell and Vigil are monster talents, but Utah looked strong against Michigan and has the homefield advantage. The Utes roll to a 35-13 win.
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith