Utah Utes football: Gameday

Published: Friday, Sept. 30 2011 7:22 p.m. MDT

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Washington's Sean Parker (1) celebrates with Cort Dennison after Dennison broke up a fourth down pass by California in the second half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, in Seattle. Washington won 31-23. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Elaine Thompson, Associated Press

Summary

Washington (3-1, 1-0)

Washington (3-1, 1-0) at Utah (2-1, 0-1)

Saturday, 5 p.m.

Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017)

FieldTurf

Salt Lake City

TV: FSN

Radio: 700 AM

Weather: Mostly sunny, 78 degrees

THE STAKES

For Washington . . . The Huskies are looking to go 2-0 in Pac-12 play and remain in the North Division race, expected to be led by nationally ranked Oregon and Stanford.

For Utah . . . It's the Utes' Pac-12 home opener and a successful start will prevent them from falling into an 0-2 conference hole — three weeks after a tough loss at USC.

THE TRENDS

For Washington . . . Dating back to last season, the Huskies have won seven of their past eight games. They're 6-0 all-time against Utah with all previous meeting having been played in Seattle.

For Utah . . . Ask BYU. The Utes played well in their last outing — two weeks ago in a 54-10 win in Provo. They're 6-0 following bye weeks since Kyle Whittingham became the coach in 2005.

PLAYER TO WATCH

CORT DENNISON, Washington: The senior linebacker, who grew up in Salt Lake City as a Utes fan and graduated from Judge Memorial, is the Huskies' leading tackler — already reaching double-figure stops twice this season.

KEY MATCHUP

WASHINGTON'S OFFENSE VS. UTAH'S DEFENSE: Something has to give when one of the nation's top pass efficiency offenses takes on the Pac-12's top-ranked pass efficiency defense. Washington quarterback Keith Price is one to watch.

INJURY REPORT

WASHINGTON: S Nate Fellner (hamstring) is probable. LB John Timu (neck) is doubtful.

UTAH: OL Tony Bergstrom (knee) and TE Jake Murphy (knee) are doubtful.

NEXT UP

Washington has a bye next week, while Utah continues Pac-12 play Saturday at home against Arizona State (1:30 p.m., FSN).

SCHEDULE

(All times Mountain)

Date....Opponent....Time....(TV)/result

Sept. 1 vs. Montana State 6 p.m. (KJZZ)

Sept. 10 at USC 5:30 p.m. (Versus)

Sept. 17 at BYU 7:15 p.m. (ESPN2)

Oct. 1 Washington 5 p.m. (FSN)

Oct. 8 Arizona State 1:30 p.m. (FSN)

Oct. 15 at Pittsburgh TBD (TBD)

Oct. 22 at California TBD (TBD)

Oct. 29 Oregon State TBD (TBD)

Nov. 5 at Arizona TBD (TBD)

Nov. 12 UCLA TBD (TBD)

Nov. 19 at Washington State TBD (TBD)

Nov. 25 Colorado 1:30 p.m. (FSN)

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