Utah vs. Arizona Game Prediction, Preview

What to expect as Utah visits Arizona in this Week 12 college football game

One of the worst teams in college football and winning just six combined games the last two seasons, suddenly Arizona is riding a four-game win streak and sitting with its best record since 2017. Ranked No. 17 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Wildcats look to make it five straight against No. 22 Utah on Saturday.

• Arizona took down three straight ranked opponents and then Colorado in the last month, and was two points away from knocking off USC before then
• Wildcats are still technically in the Pac-12 Championship picture, but need some help from Oregon in the final two weeks of the season
• Arizona is 25th nationally in passing thanks to quarterback Noah Fifita, who has gone over 200 yards in all 6 starts, and over 300 in three of them
• Utah is 16th nationally on defense, allowing opponents to score 17.8 points per game on average
• But the Utes, which fell to 4-3 in conference play after losing to Oregon and Washington, struggle to throw the ball, ranking 118th overall

Utah vs. Arizona preview, prediction

When: Sat., Nov. 18
Time: 12:30 p.m. Mountain
TV: Pac-12 Network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

Utes vs. Wildcats game odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Arizona -1
Total: 46.5 points
Moneyline: AZ -115 | Utah -105
FPI pick: Utah 57% to win

What to watch for

1. Battle at the line. Critical to throwing the Arizona offense out of rhythm will be Utah's ability to force pressure against the quarterback, but that's easier said than done. Arizona plays a cohesive game up front, and none of its starting blockers have allowed more than 1.3 pressures from opposing rushers in a game this season. Jonah Elliss and Connor O'Toole both average around 16 percent success rate against their counterparts and can push blockers back consistently.

2. Establishing the run. Ja'Quinden Jackson is the Utes' primary running threat, a physical back who averages more than 3.6 yards per carry after contact. Whichever team runs the ball better should lend more credibility to the play-action and allow their respective quarterbacks to target secondary coverages that are susceptible to costly gains on the back end.

3. And stopping the run. Arizona has won 7 of 8 games this season when allowing fewer than 145 rushing yards to opponents and has not surrendered more than 150 yards on the ground to a single opponent this season. Both teams are top-12 nationally in run defense, each allowing under 4 yards per carry. 

Utah vs. Arizona prediction

Utah's offensive strength remains its ability to run the ball, but even that phase of its game has been inconsistent, especially when playing on the road. 

And while the Utes also present a formidable front on defense, it will struggle to adequately pressure the Wildcats' quarterback, who has the accuracy and the receivers to get behind Utah's secondary. 

College Football HQ picks...

• Arizona wins 27-23
• Covers the spread
• And hits the over

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