Utah giddy for Pac-12 home debut

How many times do you make the mistake? You accidentally mention how well the Huskies are going to do in Pac-10, er, Pac-12 play.

Change isn’t always easy. Football fans have to adapt. Remember the Huskies’ purple helmets?

Washington fans will get their first taste of the new Pac-12 when the Huskies travel to Salt Lake City to face Utah today.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

The game at Rice-Eccles Stadium is the first home Pac-12 game for the Utes, and it is sold out with a standing-room-only crowd of more than 45,000 expected.

“(Playing in Salt Lake City is) great,” UW coach Steve Sarkisian said. “… It’s not the biggest of venues in our conference, but they’ve got great fans. They do a nice job. They understand the game. It will be a great atmosphere.”

The game is Utah’s homecoming, and a win would set up Utah for a showdown next week against Arizona State for the Pac-12 South lead.

“It’s supposed to be good weather and it’s going to be an electric atmosphere,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “Our guys need to prepare and take care of business.”

Sarkisian is adamant about not allowing his team to get caught up in the Rice-Eccles environment.

“We can’t be distracted,” he said. “We talked at length about this after the first road game: No distractions. This is about us. Let’s control what we can control and lock in and focus at the task at hand, and that’s the ballgame.”

The teams appear to be evenly matched.

Washington’s success on offense is the reason the team is 3-1. Led by quarterback Keith Price and running back Chris Polk, the Huskies are averaging 34.8 points a game. Price is completing 67 percent of his passes and has thrown for 14 touchdown passes – the most in the NCAA.

“He’s a playmaker,” Whittingham said. “What sets him apart is his ability to make plays when the protection breaks down. He is exceptional throwing on the move, and finding open receivers when a play breaks down. He is also a very capable runner.”

Polk is averaging 105.5 yards rushing per game, while tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has become a serious red zone threat.

And yet, Sarkisian isn’t satisfied.

“I think offensively, we can and should be better than we are right now,” he said. “… I didn’t think we played great offensive football Saturday (in a 31-23 home victory over California).”

Meanwhile, Washington’s offense will face a Utah defense that has been one of the best in the Pac-12.

The Utes lead the league in turnover margin – plus-nine, having recovered eight fumbles and made four interceptions. The Utes are holding opponents to 79 yards rushing per game and 2.86 yards per carry.

The Huskies haven’t been able to apply pressure on defense. Lapses in coverage, tackling breakdowns and general inconsistency have plagued the team. Is there improvement? Sarkisian thinks there are signs, starting with holding Cal to three points in the second half.

“It takes 11 guys together on every snap to play relentlessly and aggressively to be successful,” he said. “I think the goal for us is to play that way down after down after down … We need to do it, 11 guys every snap, collectively, relentlessly.”

The Huskies face an under-par Utah offense under its new coordinator, Norm Chow. Junior QB Jordan Wynn is completing just 54 percent of his passes. But junior college transfer running back John White has bolstered the attack by averaging more than 6 yards a carry.

“But I don’t think all of a sudden we are going to see the run and shoot,” Sarkisian said. “I’m sure we will get our fair share of passes and empty formations. … But they are going to hand the ball off to John White, too. He’s a tremendous running back. So we have to deal with both.”

Two good teams playing a key conference game. Sounds like a typical Pac-10, er, Pac-12 Saturday night.

Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483
ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/uwsports/

HUSKIES GAMEDAY

WASHINGTON (3-1 OVERALL, 1-0 PACIFIC-12 CONFERENCE) AT UTAH (2-1, 0-1)

Kickoff: 4 p.m., Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City

TV: Root Sports. Radio: 950-AM.

The series: These teams have played just six times – all of them in Seattle and all UW wins. The most recent was in 1979, when the 14th ranked Huskies prevailed, 41-7.

What to watch: QB Keith Price, who leads an efficient and high-scoring UW offense, is completing 67 percent of his passes while throwing for 983 yards and an NCAA-leading 14 TDs. He spreads the wealth around, which is helpful when facing a Utah defense heavy on man-to-man coverage. The Utes have a plus-nine turnover margin, having recovered eight fumbles and made four interceptions. Utah is stout against the run, holding teams to 79 yards per game and 2.86 yards per carry. Washington will need all-conference running back Chris Polk to keep the offense balanced. Coach Steve Sarkisian was critical of his offensive line last week. … The maligned UW defense will be tested by Utes offensive coordinator Norm Chow. QB Jordan Wynn has completed 54 percent of his passes. Wynn’s top target is DeVonte Christopher, who led the Utes in receiving last season. Running back John White has changed the Utah offense by averaging 6.2 yards per carry. He rushed for 174 yards and three TDs two weeks ago against BYU. He has gained 380 yards in three games.

What’s at stake: It’s the first Pac-12 game at Rice-Eccles Stadium and it’s homecoming for the Utes. There will be plenty of fanfare. More than that, the Utes have legitimate hopes to win the Pac-12 South division. After losing to USC, Utah can’t afford another conference loss. For the Huskies, this is a winnable game that could help them keep pace with Stanford and Oregon.

The pick: Washington, 28-24.

PRIME NUMBERS

UTAH

4Brian Blechen (OLB)6-2/230sophomore Blechen has picked off two passes and forced a fumble.

3Jordan Wynn (QB)6-2/202junior He has shown glimpses of greatness, but not consistency.

15John White (RB)5-8/186junior

Speedy JC transfer gives Utes a big-play threat.

10DeVonte Christopher (WR)6-1/200junior One-time QB recruit is Utah’s top receiver and deep threat.

26Ryan Lacy (CB)5-9/187junior Utah’s top cover corner ran a 40-yard dash in 4.23 seconds.

WASHINGTON

1Sean Parker (S)5-10/202sophomore Has quietly played well for a unit that has been anything but good or consistent.

22Josh Shirley (DE)6-2/229RS freshman Talented pass rusher will try to replace Hau’oli Jamora.

59Jamaal Kearse (OLB)6-2/224RS freshman The younger Kearse was outstanding, stepping in when John Timu went down. With Timu still iffy, Kearse will start at Utah.

75Colin Porter (RG)6-4/322sophomore Sarkisian called out the right side of the offensive line for its passive play. Expect Porter to step it up today.

88Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE)6-6/258freshman Newcomer is becoming more and more of a receiving factor.