Utah Utes football: Utah visits No. 8 Oregon State tonight, 8:30 p.m. MT, ESPN2

Utah (2-4, 0-3 Pac-12) at No. 8 Oregon St. (5-0, 3-0)

Tonight, 8:30 p.m.

Reser Stadium (45,674)

Turf field, Corvallis, Ore.

TV: ESPN2

Radio: 700AM

Weather: 53 degrees, scattered showers

The stakes

Matchup

Preview

For Utah ... Putting an end to a three-game losing streak tops the list. The Utes are in dire need of a win and could use a boost in their pursuit of a bowl bid. Another loss would make things much more difficult.

For Oregon State ... The Beavers are seeking their first 6-0 start to a season since 1907. They're also looking to remain in the AP Top 25 for a fifth straight week — something the program hasn't done since 2000.

The trends

For Utah ... The Utes have struggled in Pac-12 play since joining the conference last year. They're just 4-8 in league games. A loss to OSU would give them a second consecutive 0-4 Pac-12 start.

For Oregon State ... After winning their first three games by a combined margin of 13 points, the Beavers have prevailed in their past two outings by scores of 19-6 (Washington State) and 42-24 (BYU).

Player to watch

John White, Utah: The senior is supposed to get more touches this week after getting just 11 carries against UCLA. The Utes are 9-0 when the running back rushes for 100 yards.

Key matchup

Utah's secondary vs. OSU QB Cody Vaz: The reigning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week, who threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns last week against BYU, faces a Ute defense with just two interceptions this season.

Injury report

Utah: OL Vyncent Jones (knee) will be available after missing two games. Safety Quade Chappuis (shoulder) is not expected to play.

Oregon State: QB Sean Mannion (knee) will dress and be available for back-up duty.

Next up

Both teams return to action next Saturday. Utah plays host to California, while Oregon State travels to Washington.

Schedule

Date. . .Opponent. . .Time/result

Aug. 30. . .N. Colorado. . .W, 41-0

Sept. 7. . .at Utah State. . .L, 27-20 (OT)

Sept. 15. . .BYU. . .W, 24-21

Sept. 22. . .at Arizona State. . .L, 37-7

Oct. 4. . .Southern Cal. . .L, 38-28

Oct. 13. . .at UCLA. . .L, 21-14

Oct. 20. . .at Oregon State. . .8:30 p.m.

Oct. 27. . .California. . .7:45 p.m.

Nov. 3. . .Washington St.. . .TBA

Nov. 10. . .at Washington. . .TBA

Nov. 17. . .Arizona. . .TBA

Nov. 23. . .at Colorado. . .1 p.m.