Utah Utes vs. Utah State Aggies Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 14th 2024
Preview and Prediction
After a ten-year absence, The Battle of the Brothers has made its return.
The twelfth-ranked Utah (2-0) will take on Utah State (1-1) for the first time since 2015 when they travel to Logan, Utah on Saturday. These long-standing rivals will meet for the 113th time in a series that dates back to 1892.
The question of who will start at quarterback remains unanswered for both teams.
See also:
Breaking News: UCF Appoints Former Appalachian State Coach Shawn Clark as Offensive Line Coach
See also:
Brendan Sullivan, Iowa's Quarterback with Injured Ankle, Named Starter for Music City Bowl
During Utah's 23-12 win over Baylor last Saturday, Cameron Rising left the game in the second quarter with an injury to his throwing hand. Rising was driven out of bounds after an incomplete pass and collided with the water coolers on the Baylor sideline. Although X-rays were negative, his status for Saturday's game is uncertain.
If Rising is unable to play, freshman Isaac Wilson will make his first career start for Utah. Wilson threw for 30 yards on 4-of-9 passing in the second half against Baylor.
"I have to approach every week the same, whether I'm first, second, or third string," Wilson said. "I just have to be prepared. I could have prepared a little better last game. I felt like I did well, but there's always room for improvement."
Utah's offense struggled with Wilson at the helm, only gaining 95 total yards after halftime despite having a 23-0 lead when Rising left the game.
However, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham did not place the blame solely on Wilson for the offensive struggles.
"When Cam went out, everything kind of deflated, which was disappointing," Whittingham said. "The opposite should happen. If you lose a key player, then everyone else needs to step up their game. ... It's not just on Isaac Wilson to come in and pick up the slack - it's on everyone around him."
Utah State quarterback Spencer Petras is getting closer to returning and may be available for Saturday's game. Petras has not played since suffering a left ankle sprain in the first half of the Aggies' 36-14 win over Robert Morris in their season opener.
See also:
"Announcement: Georgia Quarterback Carson Beck Injured and Unavailable for CFP Quarterfinals"
See also:
"CFP Journal: Notre Dame Challenges Indiana's Leading Rushing Defense"
Bryson Barnes started for Utah State against Southern California. Barnes, who was the starter for Utah last season before transferring to the Aggies, struggled to move the ball in a 48-0 loss to the Trojans. He threw for just 103 yards and an interception on 18-of-27 passing.
If Petras is not ready to play, Utah State interim coach Nate Dreiling is not concerned about Barnes' ability to bounce back from a tough game against a strong defense.
"The first thing that comes to mind with Bryson is toughness," Dreiling said. "Whether it's mental or physical, he is a hard-nosed player. In my opinion, and I've said this many times, you win championships with a great defense and a tough quarterback. We know we have a tough quarterback. He always prepares like he's the starter."
Utah has not played a road game against Utah State since 2012, when the Aggies pulled off an upset with a 27-20 overtime victory. That was the only win for Utah State in the series since 1997; Utah has won 11 of the last 12 games between the two teams and holds a 78-30-4 lead in the overall series.