Utah Utes vs. Arizona Wildcats: Keys to the Game, Staff Predictions & More

This Saturday features a high noon showdown in the desert as the Utah Utes face the Arizona Wildcats in the penultimate game of the season.

Going into this matchup, both the Wildcats and the Utes are 7-3 with Arizona being ranked 17th in the nation while Utah is ranked 22nd. For Arizona, their losses consist of an overtime loss to Mississippi St. 31-24, another 31-24 loss to Washington, and a 3OT loss to USC 43-41. The Utes losses consist of a 21-7 defeat at the hands of Oregon State, a 35-6 loss to Oregon, and a 35-28 loss to Washington. However, despite the record and the conference losses, both teams still have a slim shot at making it to the Pac-12 championship game which makes this dual in the desert a must-win for both sides.

Utah will win if...

They can build upon the offensive output that was shown in the first half of the Washington game. Scoring 5 touchdowns in one half is not a small feat, especially against a quality opponent such as the Huskies. However, that offensive explosion which saw them lead going into the half turned into a scoreless second half and a loss.

Arizona has shown that they can hang in games till the end so if the Utes want to avoid back-to-back losses, offensive consistency is key.

Arizona wins if...

They can shut down the Utah offense like Washington did last week. I know it may seem quite obvious but it's true, if the Wildcats can manage to fully stop or at least mitigate the offensive production by the Utes, Utah's defense can only play so much.

As has been shown time and time again this season, despite how incredible the Utah defense is, if they're on the field for the majority of the game, they will eventually break. The Ute's will have to keep up with the offensive output the Wildcats have been able to sustain this year, or else it will be high time for the sun to officially set on this season.

Staff Predictions:

Kevin Borba:

(21-17) This Utah team has been battle-tested and was a couple of plays away from taking down No. 5 Washington. Arizona has been on a roll lately, but there are levels to this. Arizona is likely just happy to have seven wins and be ranked, while the Utes are a desperate team. I think their desperation can will them to a close victory.

Austin Eames:

(24-17) Despite entering on a four-game win streak, Arizona hasn't seen a defense like Utah's during the stretch. The Utes contain the threat of Tetairoa McMillan and surprise the Wildcats early with an out-of-character pass-first scoring drive.

Elijah:

(24-21) Utah learns from their mistakes at Washington and despite a back-and-forth battle, the Utes construct a drive down the field in garbage time to kick the game-winning field goal.

How to Watch: The game will air on The Pac-12 Network

What: No. 22 Utah Utes (7-3) @ No. 17 Arizona (7-3)

Where: Arizona Stadium, Tuscon, Arizona

When: Saturday, November 18th, 12:30 p.m. MST

Weather: Cloudy with a chance of rain and temperatures in the low 70s.