headtopics
The Arizona Wildcats are set to host FOX's Big Noon Kickoff on Saturday before facing the undefeated Utah Utes in what promises to be one of the most significant games in Tucson in recent memory. However, the kickoff time will not be as originally planned, as nationwide flying issues have caused delays for games across the country and reportedly pushed the Utah-Arizona matchup to a later slot.
Utah is one of two remaining undefeated teams in college football, along with UCLA, but the Utes have yet to play a single ranked team away from the friendly confines of Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. Now they will do exactly that, taking on No. 23 Arizona, which is undefeated at home this year after narrowly escaping Casino Del Sol Stadium with a win last weekend against TCU.
Kyle Whittingham's departure from Utah to take over at Michigan had many wondering if the Utes' heyday was behind them. But Morgan Scalley, who had long been the coach-in-waiting in Salt Lake, has this program humming along as good—or better—than ever.
Scalley has Utah playing some of the best defense in the entire country, holding opponents to just 16.3 points per game—15th in FBS and second in the Big 12 behind TCU. The Utes also generate tons of turnovers, with 13 interceptions so far this season—third in the country, with the only power conference team ahead of them being the lone other undefeated squad in UCLA.
Utah also boasts a phenomenal dual-threat quarterback in Devon Dampier and a star wideout in Braden Pegan, so it goes without saying the Wildcats will have to be firing on all cylinders Saturday evening if they want to pull off a major upset.
Key Analysis
The Utes' dominance on defense and their ability to force turnovers will be a major test for Arizona, especially with the game potentially being played under unusual circumstances due to the travel disruptions. Arizona's home-field advantage and recent narrow victory over TCU could give them confidence, but they will need to contain Dampier and Pegan to have a chance at the upset.
Arizona has two more regular-season games after this massive showdown with Utah, first traveling to Manhattan, KS, to take on the other Wildcats in the Big 12, Kansas State. K-State is tied for last place at 1-5 in the Big 12, having lost three in a row heading into Saturday's road game at TCU. Then Arizona closes the regular season against rival Arizona State on Nov. 28. The Sun Devils are 3-3 in Big 12 play, although all three wins are against the aforementioned 1-5 teams: Kansas State, Colorado, and Kansas. Those two games are set for Saturday, Nov. 21 and 28, respectively, while kickoff times are yet to be determined.
Below is a look at how to watch, stream, and listen to Arizona host No. 2 Utah on Saturday for FOX's Big Noon Kickoff:
Originally reported by headtopics.