Utah Utes football: Utah returns home to host California, tonight at 7:45 p.m. MT

Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Oct. 27 2012 5:09 p.m. MDT

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A young fan watches the Utah Utes warm up prior to the Cal game in Salt Lake City Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Summary

California (3-5, 2-3) at Utah (2-5, 0-4).

California (3-5, 2-3) at Utah (2-5, 0-4)

Saturday, 7:45 p.m. (MT)

Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017)

FieldTurf

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Radio: ESPN 700

Weather: 50 degrees, partly cloudy

Preview

Matchup

THE STAKES

For California . . . Like the Utes, the Golden Bears are trying to avoid a sixth loss on the season. Embattled head coach Jeff Tedford is feeling the heat and could use a victory. Last week's 21-3 loss at home to Stanford intensified things.

For Utah . . . A victory would put an end to a four-game skid that has put the Utes' nine-year run of winning seasons and bowl appearances in peril. Avenging a lopsided loss to the Bears last season in San Francisco is also on the line.

THE TRENDS

For California . . . After bouncing back from a 1-4 start with victories over UCLA and Washington State, the Bears hibernated against rival Stanford . . . Every opponent has scored at least 17 points on Cal this season. Southern Utah had 31.

For Utah . . . The reeling Utes have scored just seven touchdowns on offense over the past 20 quarters of play. They enter the game ranked 114th in the nation in total offense (303.29 ypg) and 105th in scoring offense (20.14 ppg).

PLAYER TO WATCH

TRAVIS WILSON, Utah: The true freshman will be making his third career start for the Utes. He'll direct an offense that turned the ball over four times in last week's 21-7 loss at Oregon State.

KEY MATCHUP

CAL'S KEENAN ALLEN VS. UTAH'S SECONDARY: Allen has 56 receptions this season and 200 in his career. The talented junior is tied for 13th in the nation with an average of seven catches per game. He faces a Utah defense with only two interceptions this year.

INJURY REPORT

For California . . . DL Viliami Moala (leg) is questionable (as per collegeinjuryreport.com).

For Utah . . . S Quade Chappuis (shoulder) is out for the season. LB Jacoby Hale and OL Jeremiah Tofaeono are out 3-4 weeks with unspecified injuries.

NEXT UP

California hosts Washington on Friday, while Utah entertains Washington State on Saturday.

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