This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
One more non-conference chance for the Utes to work out the kinks as Utah travels to Fresno State. The Utes played a tough game against Utah State, losing a couple of key players to injury who may or may not play this week in Travis Wilson and Hunter Dimick. Kyle Whittingham was coy on his starting quarterback, but even if Wilson is held out, Kendal Thompson or Chase Hansen should be fine against a Fresno State team that lost 73-21 against Ole Miss last week. Here's a position-by-position look at this week's matchup and which team will have the edge heading into Saturday's game:
Quarterback
Wilson was practicing this week, but Thompson may be the choice if Whittingham decides to let his starter rest for another week before a date with Oregon. When Wilson left the game, Thompson picked up the reins for 56 yards passing, 23 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. Whittingham also mentioned getting Chase Hansen more involved this week. Whichever player takes the snaps at quarterback should have an easy afternoon.
Zack Greenlee was named the starter at the beginning of the season, but freshman Chason Virgil entered the game in the second quarter and played until giving way to transfer Ford Childress with the game well out of hand. Virgil is the presumptive starter heading into this game, but the Bulldogs will share time between both Greenlee and him in preparation for naming a starter ahead of conference play. Either way, the Utes have a massive advantage.
Edge: Utah
Running back
Whittingham continues to lament the offensive line's lack of push to get Devontae Booker going, but this game is as good as any for him to explode. He still had 120 yards and a score — albeit on 31 carries — against a tough Utah State defense. The Bulldogs were gashed by a handful of Rebel rushers for 215 yards and four touchdowns for an average of 6.1 yards per carry. Booker should have a monster outing.
The strength of Fresno State's offense lies with Marteze Waller, who racked up 91 yards on 28 carries against Ole Miss. However, the Utes held Utah State's LaJuan Hunt to only 37 yards on 14 carries. Utah knows it will have to key on Waller to shut down the Fresno State offense and should have little trouble doing so.
Edge: Utah
Wide receivers and tight ends
Britain Covey continues to be the go-to target in this offense, rebounding from a vicious hit in the first half to catch six passes for 61 yards. The outside receivers are still struggling, Kenneth Scott catching only two passes for 18 yards, bringing his season totals to four receptions for 33 yards. However, the Bulldogs gave up at least 40 yards to four different Ole Miss receivers, including five catches, 120 yards and three scores to Quincy Adeboyejo. This is the game the Utes can get their wide receivers going.
The uncertainty at quarterback isn't helping Fresno State's receivers, junior Da'Mari Scott the only real threat against Ole Miss after he grabbed five passes for 67 yards. Waller caught three passes for 40 yards out of the backfield, a needed asset against a Utes pass rush that will force either Virgil or Greenlee to get the ball out quickly. Another edge for Utah.
Edge: Utah
Offensive line
The Utes held up well against a unit led by Kyler Fackrell and Nick Vigil, preventing the Aggies from registering a sack. The Bulldogs managed to get one sack against Ole Miss, but not until the Rebels had a 59-21 lead in the fourth quarter. The run blocking is still coming along, but the Utes should have an easy day at the office against Fresno State.
Fresno State played decently well in pass protection against a superior Ole Miss defense, surrendering only one sack. The Bulldogs' passers were still under pressure, but the offensive line pushed well enough for Waller to have a good performance. The Utes finally grabbed their first sacks of the season — bringing Chuckie Keeton down twice — and should have another productive week against the Bulldogs.
Edge: Utah
Defensive line and linebackers
Dimick is hurt and forcing him back into action against Fresno State doesn't make a lot of sense in the long-term. Assuming he's held out, the Utes still have plenty of firepower to work with in the front seven. Gionni Paul is arguably the best player on Utah's defense two games into the season, racking up an absurd 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery. Jared Norris is playing well after a 10 tackle effort against the Aggies and the sacks should start coming in bunches starting this week.
The Bulldogs had trouble rushing the passer and containing the run against Ole Miss. Outside linebacker Ejiro Ederaine is a player to watch in Fresno State's front seven. The senior has 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception so far this season. The Bulldogs will have a hard time keeping up defensively this game and are at a distinct disadvantage.
Edge: Utah
Secondary
Dominique Hatfield came back for the Utes against Utah State, credited for two tackles and allowing a couple of receivers to get behind him in coverage. Still, the rustiness should be knocked off this week, suddenly providing the Utes with a talented trio of corners in Reggie Porter, Hatfield and Cory Butler-Byrd. Justin Thomas played well and Marcus Williams grabbed an interception in what is becoming one of the deepest position units in the Pac-12.
Jamal Ellis and Shannon Edwards led Fresno State in tackles last week with a combined 18, both good and bad news. Good that they wrapped up, but bad that the leading tacklers were corners when the action was well past the line of scrimmage as Ole Miss made plays down the field. Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly absolutely torched the Bulldogs for 346 yards and four touchdowns. Utah's QBs should have big performances this week, regardless of which one plays.
Edge: Utah
Prediction: The Utes have distinct advantages at every position and should cruise easily in this game. Utah wins 42-13.