UCLA Football: Point Spread Movement Hints at Return of Utah's All-Pac-12 QB

The theme for Utah's football team throughout the year so far has been to survive what's been an inordinate amount of injuries.

Reports indicate that there are roughly 15-20 players who have been beset by injury throughout the first three games of the season. Many of those players are projected members of the two-deep.

The most significant member -- by far -- is starting quarterback Cam Rising.

With Utah moving from 4½-point to 6-point favorite, it appears QB Cam Rising will return Saturday vs. UCLA. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Rising was full participant in practice last week w/no contact. Rising hasn't played since tearing his ACL in Rose Bowl
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 21, 2023

Rising's status has been a bit of a mystery throughout the fall camp. He's coming off major knee surgery following an injury in last year's Rose Bowl. Rising has reportedly been seen at practice, though to what level we don't really know. Based upon the tweet above from reporter Brett McMurphy, the line moving 1.5 points this late in the week could indicate a return to the field for this Saturday's massive game versus UCLA.

In non-conference play, Utah has relied upon two quarterbacks (Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson). Barnes is the older, more experienced guy. Johnson, on the other hand, is the younger, more dynamic player -- particularly with his elite track speed.

The initial behind-closed-doors belief from some before the Florida game is that we weren’t seeing Cam Rising until UCLA.

The expectation now is that Rising is ramped up and ready to go next week for the Pac-12 opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) September 16, 2023

Johnson and Barnes have helped Utah begin the year with a perfect 3-0 record (with notable wins over Baylor and Florida). Johnson, in particular, has truly grown as a player. He's completing 68.8 percent of his throws and is the team's second-leading rusher.

While Johnson is locked in as the likely No. 2, there's no denying Rising's impact on this team. He's the proverbial straw that stirs the drink. With both his arm and legs, his improvisational style of play is quite difficult to play against and thus prepare for.

Not only that, but Rising is arguably the team's most respected leader. He's been through the rigors of a conference schedule multiple times before and won't be flustered by anything UCLA's defense throws his way.

Even if he is rusty and a bit hindered when it comes to running the football, his presence on the field alone will be a major storyline.

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