The Arizona Wildcats will travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Utes in a pivotal Big 12 matchup on September 28, 2024. Utah, at 4-0, has been one of the more consistent teams this season, featuring a balanced offense and a stout defense. The Utes are coming off a gritty 22-19 win over Oklahoma State, where they dominated on the ground, amassing 249 rushing yards. Quarterback Isaac Wilson has been effective, though somewhat turnover-prone, throwing for 207 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Utah’s defense has been one of the best in the country, allowing an average of just 19 points per game. Arizona, at 2-1, will look to bounce back after a tough 31-7 loss to Kansas State. The Wildcats’ offense struggled mightily in that game, particularly on the ground, managing only 56 rushing yards.

Quarterback Noah Fifita passed for 268 yards but failed to throw a touchdown, making it clear that Arizona needs a more balanced offensive attack if they hope to compete against a tough Utah defense. Arizona’s defense, on the other hand, has given up 26.7 points per game, which ranks them in the bottom half of the nation. Given Utah’s defensive prowess and Arizona’s inconsistency on offense, this game could lean heavily in favor of the Utes. However, Arizona has shown the ability to cover large spreads as road underdogs, especially if they can find some rhythm offensively.