Utah Utes football gameday

Oregon State (2-2) at No. 15 Utah (5-0)

Today, 7 p.m. — Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017) — FieldTurf — Salt Lake City

TV: Versus — Radio: 700AM

THE STAKES

For Utah ... The Utes are looking to avenge last season's loss to Oregon State and improve to 6-0 entering a season-ending stretch of six consecutive Mountain West Conference games.

For Oregon State ... The Beavers can improve to 3-2 overall and claim their second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent — effectively putting an 0-2 start behind them.

THE TRENDS

For Utah ... Dating back to 2003, Utah is 4-0 against Pacific 10 Conference opponents at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

For Oregon State ... Oregon State defeated two ranked teams on the road in 2007 — No. 2 California and No. 18 Oregon.

THE EDGE

Utah will win if ... the undefeated Utes are able to slow Oregon State's ground game. The Beavers average 196.5 yards in wins this season and 89 yards in setbacks.

Oregon State will win if ... the Beavers can break through at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon, California, Arizona and UCLA have lost games on the hill since 2003.

NEXT UP

Next up: at Wyoming, Oct. 11, noon, at Laramie

Joe Glenn and the Cowboys are expected to roll out the red carpet after last season's 50-0 loss at Utah.

PLAYER TO WATCH

JACQUIZZ RODGERS, RB: Freshman ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns in Oregon State's 27-21 upset of top-ranked USC.

KEY MATCHUP

Utah's defense vs. Rodgers: The Utes enter the game with the nation's fifth-best rushing defense, giving up just 60 yards per game on the ground. Can they stop the country's top freshman running back?

Partly cloudy, 75 degrees