No. 9 Utah (5-0, 3-0 MWC) vs Colorado State (2-5, 1-2), 6 p.m. (The Mtn.)
Line: Utah by 30.
Series Record: Utah leads 22-54-2.
Last Meeting: 2009, Utah 24-17.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
This will be the last matchup between the schools as members of the Mountain West. Utah will bolt for the Pac-10 in 2011. The Utes put their 20-game home winning streak on the line as they attempt to remain on course for their showdown with fourth-ranked TCU on Nov. 6. Colorado State threw a scare at Utah last season only to see the Utes rally from a 14-point deficit.
KEY MATCHUP
Utah’s offensive line against Colorado State’s defensive front. Led by senior center Zane Taylor, the Utes have surrendered only two sacks all season. Rams DT Guy Miller set a team record with 4 1/2 sacks in a 43-10 win over UNLV last weekend. Miller also established a new conference record that was held by six players, including former TCU standout Jerry Hughes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colorado State: QB Pete Thomas shows more poise with each game. The true freshman threw for 233 yards and three TD passes in the Rams’ win over the Rebels.
Utah: RBs Matt Asiata and Eddie Wide are averaging a combined 115 yards rushing per game. Asiata rushed for 109 yards in a 30-7 win over Wyoming last weekend. Wide was the difference last season against Colorado State, catching the go-ahead TD late in the fourth quarter.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Utes have started 6-0 for the third time in seven seasons. They finished 12-0 in 2004 and 13-0 in ’08. … Colorado State hasn’t won at Rice-Eccles Stadium in eight years. … Utah K Joe Phillips has made 17 straight field goals, a streak that dates to last year. … Both squads boast special teams standouts. The Rams’ Derek Good leads the nation with an average of 37.4 yards on kick returns. Utah’s Shaky Smithson is averaging 24.1 yards on punt returns, third in the country.
