Uknow Utah?

[So who are these Utah Utes. Their 16-game win streak is currently the longest in the country and includes a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama.

Strengths: Passing, rushing, blocking, tackling, kicking, scoring, coming from behind, staying ahead, winning.

Weaknesses: They can't buy beer on Sundays.

Actually, it's not all that bad. Last week they let a much weaker San Jose State hang around before they settled for a 24-14 win. They had 11 penalties in that game, over half of those pass interference, and gave up 269 passing yards to SJS.
In the past two games the Utes have lost four fumbles and missed a bunch of field goals. Their quarterback Terrance Cain is a new starter who has been somewhat erratic and inconsistent in his first two games. Autzen should calm him right down.
Also, like Oregon, Utah could be without their starting running back Matt Asiata with a hurt shoulder. If it heals, he could play since hitting opponents with your shoulder is apparently legal. The following is from the Utes' website.]


Utah Team Report
Updated: September 16, 2009, 3:20 AM EDT Inside Slant

Consider Utah's first two games against Western Athletic Conference also-rans as pass-fail practice exams. The Utes passed ... but weren't exactly world-beaters in either game.
That makes Saturday's game at Pac-10 power Oregon a huge test for the Utes, who have the nation's longest winning streak at 16 games.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham isn't happy with the five turnovers his team has committed in its first two games; he says red-zone offense is a concern; he didn't like his pass defense in the 24-14 win over San Jose State last week.
"For Oregon, we have to elevate our level of play to have a chance to win," Whittingham said. "We have our work cut out for us. We have to work on what we're not doing so well, and our guys will be ready to go."
The Utes, however, could go into Eugene, Ore., short-handed. Running back Matt Asiata, who leads the nation in carries, injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter against the Spartans and is questionable for the Ducks. Right guard Caleb Schlauderaff also is questionable with a knee sprain.
"A proven guy like that, if he's ready, it's probably a game-time decision," Whittingham told the Deseret Morning News about Asiata's availability. "We'll know more as the week progresses. Same with Caleb."
If Asiata doesn't play, quarterback Terrance Cain will bear the brunt of the pressure to move the offense against the Ducks. His play was inconsistent against the Spartans last week.
The Utes, however, may not require Cain to be Superman -- he just can't turn over the ball. If he can manage the game, Utah would like to put the game in the hands of its defense that -- despite giving up a few more big plays than Whittingham would like -- faces an Oregon offense struggling to find an identity without running back LeGarrette Blount, who was suspended for the season after punching a Boise State player after the season-opener.
And for good measure, the Utes also have reopened the competition at kicker between struggling Ben Vroman and walk-on Joe Phillips, who could be used for short field-goal attempts, at least.

Notes and Quotes
--Coach Kyle Whittingham is 3-2 all-time vs. the Pac-10, including a 31-28 victory over Oregon State last season that vaulted the Utes into elite status. The Beavers had just upset top-ranked Southern California, and Utah pulled off one of its Houdini escapes with a come-from-behind win.
--DT Latu Heimuli, a 300-pound true freshman, has a broken foot and will redshirt this season.

SERIES HISTORY: Oregon leads Utah, 17-8 (last meeting, 2003, 17-13 Utah).

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Utes could face a tougher challenge if RB Matt Asiata cannot play because of a shoulder sprain. So much of this year's offense goes through him, and a big part of Utah's red-zone package goes through him lining up under center as well. Asiata's absence would put a lot of pressure on QB Terrance Cain. Sending reserve running backs Eddie Wide and Sausan Shakerin at the Ducks may not have the same impact as sending Asiata.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Ducks now have a game under their belts without the services of suspended RB LeGarrette Blount. The Ducks are relying on young backs, and have asked quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to do more. Utah must find a way to get pressure on him early, make him give up the football and then chase down the other ball-carriers. Coach Kyle Whittingham says he hasn't been happy with the unit's allowance of big plays this season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're not making impact plays (on defense). Impact plays to us are sacks and takeaways, and we're not getting that done. We gave up seven first downs due to penalties, which is entirely too many. And the pass defense was not good on Saturday night. Oregon's quarterback is very athletic and is a guy that is very dangerous when he runs the ball. That's got to be our first order of business, to try to slow him down." -- Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.
Strategy and Personnel

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Utah at Oregon, Sept. 19 -- The Utes will try for their 17th consecutive victory and, as a secondary matter, will try to show the rest of the country that the MWC is for real. The MWC already has wins over Oklahoma, Virginia and Colorado -- and none were home games.

KEYS TO THE GAME: Even if Matt Asiata can't play, the Utes want to establish their dominance with the rushing attack. Asiata's replacements -- Eddie Wide and Sausan Shakerin have to be ready to pick up the slack again. The Utes also have to put pressure on Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli and force other positions to make plays.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Terrance Cain -- He has to manage the game against a hostile crowd on the road. As inconsistent as he has been so far, he is 2-0 as a starter and has led the Utes to a 267-yard average through the air. Cain and the offense must clean up penchant for turnovers to have a chance.
WR Jereme Brooks -- He becomes a key element on the offense if Asiata can't play. He has to step up and create another threat opposite David Reed to help the Utah offense get rolling against a Pac-10 defense. The Utes have had success moving the ball against Western Athletic Conference teams. Saturday's foe should be different.
DE Koa Misi -- The senior made strides with his health as he returned from a back injury last week. As the most athletic linemen on the Utah unit, Misi has to be able to corral Oregon QB Jeremiah Masoli and not let him make plays with his feet.

ROSTER REPORT:
--RB Matt Asiata is questionable for Saturday's game with a shoulder injury he suffered in the fourth quarter against San Jose State. Eddie Wide would start in Asiata's place if he can't go.
--OG Caleb Schlauderaff is questionable because of a knee injury. If Schlauderaff doesn't play, Walter Watts would move from right guard to left guard, and Tevita Stevens would start at right guard.

[Utah wants to establish the run even without their starting RB. But Oregon has been pretty strong against the run. Yet the Utes' other choice is to let their young quarterback carry the load against a loud Autzen crowd.
If Oregon can jump on a lead early and force them to pass more, good things could happen. But conversely, the Ducks need to get their own running game established. Utah is counting on Oregon's continued struggles in that area.
So my years of experience leads me to the analysis that if Oregon wants to win this game, they'll need to stop struggling.] --kb