Utah Utes football: Utah vs. Arizona at Rice Eccles Stadium, 8 p.m. MT

GAMEDAY

Arizona (6-4, 3-4) at Utah (4-6, 2-5)

Saturday, 8 p.m. (MT)

Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017)

FieldTurf

TV: ESPNU

Radio: ESPN 700

Weather: 46 degrees, mostly cloudy

Preview

Matchup

THE STAKES

For Arizona . . . The Wildcats can clinch a winning season in their first year under coach Rich Rodriguez with a victory. This is Arizona’s last shot at a road win this season. Earlier losses have come at Oregon, Stanford and UCLA.

For Utah . . . Bowl eligibility is still possible. The Utes, however, need to win out — prevailing in this game and again next week at Colorado. It’s a do-or-die situation. One loss and Utah’s nine-year bowl streak is officially over.

THE TRENDS

For Arizona . . . Aside from a 54-48 overtime loss at Stanford on Oct. 6, the Wildcats have been quite bad outside of Tucson — dropping lopsided Pac-12 decisions at Oregon and UCLA by a combined score of 115-10.

For Utah . . . For the first time since 2002, the Utes are in serious danger of not being bowl eligible. Last week’s 34-15 setback to Washington in Seattle snapped a run of nine consecutive winning records in the regular season.

PLAYER TO WATCH

KA'DEEM CAREY, Arizona: What will the sophomore do for an encore after rushing for a conference-record 366 yards and five touchdowns in last week's 56-31 win over Colorado?

KEY MATCHUP

ARIZONA'S OFFENSE VS. UTAH'S DEFENSE: Something's got to give when one of the Pac-12's top offenses does battle with one of the conference's stronger defenses. The battle in the trenches will be worth watching.

INJURY REPORT

For Arizona . . . In the Wildcats’ weekly update, QB Matt Scott (concussion), FB/DE Taimi Tutogi (neck), S Jourdon Grandon (concussion) are listed as probable. OG Chris Putton (concussion) is doubtful. LB Hank Hobson (neck) and S Wayne Capers (illness) are out.

For Utah . . . The Utes keep such information secret. Backup RB Kelvin York (ankle) is listed on this week’s depth chart. Starting OL Jeremiah Tofaeono (undisclosed injury) is not.

NEXT UP

Both teams return to action Friday. Utah closes out the regular season at Colorado, while Arizona returns home to face rival Arizona State.

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Twitter: @DirkFacer