Game watch: Utah at San Jose St.

Saturday, Oct. 31

2 p.m. MSTSite: Spartan Stadium, San Jose, Calif.

TV: KJZZ, Ch. 14

Radio: K-news 570 A.M, Utah Sports Network

THE EDGE:

Analysis by Linda Hamilton

QUARTERBACKS: The ratio is 3-to-2. That's three for SJSU, with junior Chris Kasteler rising to the top last week, and two for Utah, with the jury still out because they look good one minute and awful another. EDGE: Even

RUNNING BACKS: Averaging 119.7 yards a game, Mike Anderson leads the WAC and has moved up to 11th in NCAA from 16th last week. His average is only three yards less than the whole Spartan team, led by Carlos Meeks (58.9 ypg). Omar Bacon has a team-high seven TDs. EDGE: Utah

RECEIVERS: Oliver Newell (57.1 ypg, five TDs) leads the horde; Waking Bailey (39.0) and Donte Scarbrough (21.3) are next. Utah has three in WAC's top 17 (Daniel Jones, 69.3; Jerome Anderson, 58.9; Donny Utu, 46.3). SLIGHT EDGE: Utah

LINES: BYU tried but couldn't pressure Kasteler, but the SJSU defensive front can't stop the run. Utah's defensive line strong and improvingl; the O-line is talented but sloppy at times. EDGE: Even

LINEBACKERS: A strength for Utah, a question mark for San Jose State. EDGE: Utah

DEFENSIVE BACKS: With four veterans, it's San Jose State's strength. Utah safeties are strong and the corners seem to be improving, but the DBs still allow big play at wrong time. EDGE: San Jose State

SPECIAL TEAMS: Utah's were average to good until last week, with the Utes working extra hours this week. SJSU's Deonce Whitaker averages 24.4 yards per kickoff return and totaled 199 at BYU last week. The Spartans' punts and punt returns are only fair, with kick-scoring about even with Utah's. SLIGHT EDGE: San Jose State

INTANGIBLES: Ex-San Jose State and Stanford coach Jack Elway will be on hand as his name is placed in Spartan Stadium's Ring of Fame . . . Both teams are coming off games they could have won, and they must win to have any hopes in WAC race . . . U. coach Ron McBride, a SJSU alum, may have more friends in the stadium than Spartans, who average a WAC-worst 12,516 attendance. EDGE: Even

3 keys to a Utah victory