Game Prediction: #10 Utah Utes at #12 Oregon Ducks

The USC/UCLA contest isn't the only West Coast matchup of the weekend, and the battle between the No. 10 Utah Utes (8-2) and the No. 12 Oregon Ducks (8-2) could end up as the most entertaining.

Both teams are sitting at one loss in league play, and the winner puts itself in great position to earn a spot in the Pac 12 title game, while the loser is likely on the outside looking in.

Where: Autzen Stadium (Eugene, Ore.)
When: 10:30 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: Utah -2.0, O/U 60

IB has broken down the game and now it's time to make predictions.

BRYAN DRISKELL, PUBLISHER

Prediction: Oregon 41, Utah 31

Utah is a quality football team, of that I have no doubt, but I just don't see them as the 10th best team in the country. Their win over USC was certainly impressive, and the Utes are coming off back-to-back dominant wins over Arizona and Stanford. They also dominated Oregon in both of their matchups last season.

I'm still going with Oregon in this game. Utah's defense doesn't handle speed all hat well and the Ducks will throw a lot of that at them. Oregon is one of the most balanced teams in the country and I think Utah will have a tough time keeping up. Washington was able to do that a week ago, but Cameron Rising isn't Michael Penix, and Utah's skill on the perimeter isn't as dangerous as Washington's.

I expect Bo Nix and the Oregon offense to bounce back and roll Utah. The Utes will try and keep up for a bit, but I see the Ducks pulling away in the second half.

RYAN ROBERTS, DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING

Prediction: Utah 28, Oregon 27

The PAC 12 has been a conference or chaos and entertainment so far. This matchup with Oregon and Utah promises to be another great game to keep tabs on.

Offensively, Oregon has made a lot of explosive plays led by quarterback Bo Nix. Utah, on the other hand, is a much more methodical offense that is really led by the potency of the running game.

The Utah defense is the difference in this one, forcing a couple turnovers in crucial spots.

VINCE DEDARIO, FOOTBALL ANALYST

Prediction: Oregon 28, Utah 25

How is Oregon going to respond after losing to Washington last week? This game will go a long way to determine who is heading to the PAC12 title game too. USC is not a lock as there are three teams with one loss but the Trojans have that extra win since they play Notre Dame in the final week of the season. Whoever wins this game controls their destiny.

The game is in Eugene so that gives the Ducks some momentum and I am sure they are looking to get that Washington loss out of their mouth. I like the Ducks here again, because they can score. Utah is the more physical team and that is how they beat USC earlier in the year but can they slow down the Oregon offense?

SHAUN DAVIS, RECRUITING ANALYST

Prediction: Utah 34, Oregon 30

Oregon is coming off a tough home loss to Washington and I’m not sure if they will be able to muster another effort like last week with a physical Utah team coming to Eugene. The Ducks’ defense has allowed 5 yards per carry on defense three times this season, and two of those games ended in losses to Georgia and Washington. The Utes will test their meddle as their ground game has been front and center as of late.

SEAN STIRES, STAFF WRITER

Prediction: Oregon 42, Utah 36

Oregon just got knocked out of CFP contention with its upset loss to Washington last week. The Ducks surrendered 408 passing yards to Michael Penix in the loss, but Utah wants to pound the ball and so does Oregon.

ANDREW McDONOUGH, IB CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Oregon 38, Utah 28

Oregon will rebound from last week's stinging loss to Washington with a victory over Utah in a game that is not as close as the score indicates. The Ducks were manhandled twice by Utah last year, but this year return the favor behind a physical offense led by QB Bo Nix and a talented backfield.

Utah has always been known for physicality under Kyle Whittingham and brings the Pac-12's third-ranked rushing offense and rushing defense into the game, but Oregon has been even more physical, ranking second in the conference in both categories. The differentiator for the Ducks though is that in addition to physicality, their offense is explosive, both in the running game and down the field to WR Troy Franklin.

Oregon has 59 plays of 20+ yards to Utah's 51, 21 plays of 30+ yards to Utah's 13 (which ranks last in the conference), and 15 plays of 40+ yards to Utah's 2 (which ranks second-to-last in the country).

IB STAFF STANDINGS

Bryan - 39-13
Ryan - 36-16
Vince - 34-18
Shaun - 32-20
Sean - 31-21
Andrew - 30-22

Irish Breakdown Fans be sure to get your Notre Dame tickets from SI Tickets HERE

Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge

Irish Breakdown Content

Notre Dame 2022 Roster
Notre Dame 2022 Schedule

Notre Dame 2023 Class Big Board
Notre Dame 2023 Commits Board - Offense
Notre Dame 2023 Commits Board - Defense

Notre Dame 2023 Scholarship Offers
Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

Ranking The 2022 Signees - Offense
Ranking The 2022 Signees - Defense

———————

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
Follow me on Gettr: @IrishBreakdown
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter