Last year, Utah flew by Wyoming, the Utes throwing for 384 yards and frolicking to a 43-13 victory in Salt Lake City. Wyoming coach Joe Glenn has a hunch that Saturday’s meeting in Laramie will be different.
It could be won in the trenches.
“Field position will be huge,” Glenn said. The Utah game “was really the only time last year that took us behind the barn and shook us like a rag doll. But we can play with these guys.”
Both teams, as Glenn likes to say, “should have some wind in their sails” coming off a victory. Utah (4-2, 2-0 Mountain West) made a statement with a 20-7 home victory over TCU last week. Wyoming (2-4, 1-1) snapped a seven-game conference losing streak and did it on the road – a 14-10 win at New Mexico.
And the matchup along the line of scrimmage pits strength against strength. Wyoming’s defense ranks fourth nationally. Utah’s offensive line has not allowed a sack through six games.
By comparison, Wyoming quarterbacks have been sacked 22 times.
“They’re good,” Glenn said of the Utes’ offensive line. “But I think we can do some things. We hope to get to the guy a little bit. But (no sacks allowed) is impressive.”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said he saw his offensive line coming together during spring drills. Left tackle Tavo Tupola (6-feet- 4, 300 pounds) is the only senior among the five. At left guard, redshirt freshman Zane Beadles (6-4, 308) has star potential.
Utah’s offensive linemen are doing more than protect the passer. They’re opening up holes as well. Utah’s rushing average of 4.6 yards per carry is tied with Air Force for tops in the Mountain West.
“The offensive line, more than any position on the field, needs to have chemistry, and I could see that jell,” Whittingham said. “Also, our running backs are doing an outstanding job of picking up blitzes, and (Brett) Ratliff has done a good job getting rid of the ball.”
Wyoming’s defense, which has registered 13 sacks in six games, will counter with effort and deception.
“(Utah) has had some hurries and their quarterback has been hit,” Glenn said. “So (a sack total) doesn’t tell the whole story about a quarterback getting jarred after he lets go of the ball.
“I’ve seen their quarterback take a shot as he’s throwing, and then it gets intercepted. That would probably be worse than a sack.”
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Wyoming (2-4, 1-1): Redshirt freshman QB Karsten Sween passed his first test as starter. But he was intercepted twice in the first half and fumbled. Sween completed 19-of-32 passes for 204 yards. Senior SS John Wendling faces a difficult challenge because the Utes’ offense is balanced.
Utah (4-2, 2-0): Senior CB Eric Weddle (six interceptions) may be the top defensive player in the Mountain West. Weddle and Wyoming’s Wendling are among 32 finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award. QB Brett Ratliff threw for 223 yards and ran for 64 last week in a win over TCU.
Key stat
The Utes have won five of seven visits to Wyoming. Wyoming holds a 19-18 edge against Utah in games played in Laramie.
Key for Wyoming
The Cowboys’ four losses have come by an average of 5.3 points. They average 34.1 yards in net punting and have missed five field-goal attempts.
Key for Utah
Which Utes team will show up? The one hammered 36-3 by Boise State or the one that stunned TCU 20-7?
TOM KENSLER
