Editor's note: This is the first of a four-part series exploring the battles within the war.

UTAH OFFENSIVE LINE: Sophomore center Zane Taylor, a first-year starter, has blended in well. He's the man in the middle of an offensive line that is evolving into one of the best in the Mountain West Conference.

After giving up 19 sacks in the first seven games of the season, Utah has given up just three in four outings since then.

The protection has helped keep quarterback Brian Johnson healthy and lifted the Utes to a share of their first conference championship since 2004.

Senior right guard Robert Conley is a four-year starter and preseason all-conference honoree. He's a team captain and a veteran to reckon with on the line.

So, too, are Utah's other starters.

Junior left tackle Zane Beadles, senior right tackle Dustin Hensel and sophomore left guard Caleb Schlauderaff — who leads the team in pancake blocks — are also candidates for all-conference recognition.

Beadles has been a steady performer, and Hensel is credited with containing TCU's talented defensive end Jerry Hughes.

The average height and weight of the starting line tops 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds.

Trying to push them around, obviously, is a big task.

Then there's the depth issue.

Corey Seiuli, Tony Bergstrom, Tyler Williams, Louis Finner, Walter Watts, Daniel Bukarau and Viliamu Nau all entered last Saturday's 63-14 rout at San Diego State with varying degrees of experience this season.

All said, the offensive line is getting a good push on the opposition this season.

The Utes average 5.7 yards per play — 2.2 yards more than the opposition.

UTAH DEFENSIVE LINE: The Utes may have the best pair of defensive ends in college football. Junior Koa Misi and sophomore Paul Kruger headline a defensive front that has frustrated offenses all season long.

Misi, the left end, is third on the team with 57 tackles. He's made 8.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage including three sacks. In addition, Misi has four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one recovery.