Three Keys To Victory For Utah Against Deion Sanders and Colorado
Utah’s regular-season finale against Colorado is shaping up to be quite an interesting competition. Most importantly, both teams are currently dealing with their fair share of injury and sickness-related issues.
Despite the looming shuffle of personnel, the Utes will have to be ready to face a soul-searching Colorado squad that is unquestionably hungry and desperate for a win.
The Buffaloes will be looking for their chance to enter the offseason on a high note after dropping seven of their last eight games, with only one in-conference season win thus far. Here are the three keys for Utah to win their season finale:
1. Assist Luke Bottari with an effective scheme.
Utah will be entering this year’s edition of the “Rumble in the Rockies” led by an unlikely face. Luke Bottari, the team’s current fifth-string quarterback, is set to make the start after a string of injuries and (potential) transfers have made the Utes’ other serviceable signal-callers unavailable.
Saturday’s contest against the Buffs will be Bottari’s first collegiate Division 1 start. The Northern California native came to the Utes as a preferred walk-on in 2022 after a long tenure in JUCO football with the College of San Mateo in California.
Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig and head coach Kyle Whittingham will have to do their best to make Bottari’s first start with the team as seamless as possible. It’s likely that Bottari has seen limited reps in practice up to this point in the season, but is hopefully familiar with the playbook due to being with the team for two seasons.
Utah will most likely have to look to their run game more often, relying on trusted contributors like Ja’Quinden Jackson and Jaylon Glover to get the job done.
The Utes could also implement Sione Vaki into their offense more often as a means to ease Bottari into the game. Although Vaki has been used sparingly on the offensive side in the past few weeks, the two-way player’s prowess as a pass-catcher is undeniable. Vaki is currently averaging over 18 yards per catch, with most coming from RAC on screen passes.
2. Get the ball to Devaughn Vele
Another way to spark Utah’s offense is to get the ball to Devaughn Vele. Vele has come alive in recent weeks putting together a healthy number of eye-popping performances that have more than established him as the Utes’ best pass-catching option.
Despite losing three of their last four games, Vele’s performance has been a bright spot for Utah, as the junior (who’s participating in senior day) has developed an almost Keenan Allen-esque identity as Utah’s premier route-runner and unlikely contested catch threat.
Throughout Utah’s last two games against Arizona and Washington, Vele has posted an impressive stat line of 14 catches for 256 yards and a touchdown. Moreover, Vele has excelled in the red zone as of late, adding two touchdowns in the Utes’ game against Arizona State.
At 6’5, with a great catch radius, Vele is a great first option for Bottari. Moreover, Vele can benefit if Colorado’s premier cornerback, Travis Hunter, does not suit up for the game. Hunter is currently reported to be dealing with the flu.
3. Play like it’s your last ever game in the Pac-12
This one might sound a bit sappy, but Utah should go into their game against Colorado with all cylinders firing in order to win their last-ever game against a fellow Pac-12 opponent.
With their hopes of reaching the Pac-12 Championship game out of reach, Utah’s game against Colorado will mark the Utes’ final in-conference Pac-12 game.
Utah joined the Pac-12 in 2011 and currently holds a record of 64-48. With the Pac-12 as we’ve known it coming to a close after this season, the end of an era is coming ever closer.
Utah’s time in the Pac-12 has been revolutionary for the program. Since moving from the Mountain West Conference to the Pac-12 in 2011, Utah’s football program has risen to national prominence. In that time, the Utes rose to as high as fifth in the CFP rankings (2019), went to multiple Rose Bowls (2021, 2022), and won the conference championship twice (2021, 2022).
While the outcome of their upcoming contest against Colorado won’t change Utah’s Pac-12 legacy... 65-48 does sound a whole lot better than 64-49.
The Utes have a chance to do what they’ve always done and play dominant football under the lights of Rice Eccles Stadium. With the whole fanbase watching, Utah can end this chapter of team history with one last Pac-12 win against Colorado on Saturday, Nov. 25th.
