NFL Tickets
Nobody saw the Utah Utes having a better season than the Stanford Cardinal heading into 2014. I mean, the Cardinal were coming off a Rose Bowl appearance and Utah was just a team on the back-burner in the Pac-12, but the times have changed in just a short year. Utah is now 6-3 while Stanford is a mere 5-4. The winner of this one will have bragging rights heading into a mediocre bowl game.
Although Utah doesn’t exactly have a potent offensive attack, the Utes have found different ways to win ball games and there are enough weapons in place to get the job done. Juniors Travis Wilson and Kendal Thompson have been splitting time at quarterback this season with the former getting the majority of the reps. Wilson has passed for 1,381 yards and 11 touchdowns with just two picks this year while Thompson is more of a running quarterback, racking up 192 yards and a score. Junior running back Devontae Booker is the only rusher ahead of Thompson, recording 1,055 yards and eight touchdowns. Dres Anderson is the leading receiver for the team, catching 22 passes for 355 yards and four scores.
Stanford’s offense has been subpar at best this season as Kevin Hogan has done all he can to keep this team afloat. The senior quarterback has passed for 2,051 yards and 13 touchdowns while throwing seven picks and running for another four touchdowns. Hogan’s favorite target has been no surprise this season as Ty Montgomery leads all receivers with 56 catches for 549 yards and three scores. Devon Cajuste has also been a viable option in the pass game, catching 25 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns. While Remound Wright leads the team in rush yards with 359 and two scores, the Cardinal might want to consider starting Barry Sanders. The junior running back hasn’t carried the ball more than 10 times in a game this season, and maybe he should, as he averages 6.3 yards per touch.
Defensively, Stanford has been kept alive this season while posting an mediocre offensive output each week. The Cardinal have one of the best defenses in the country, ranking fourth in points allowed per game as well as fifth in total yards allowed each week. Utah hasn’t been nearly as impressive, ranking 68th in total yards allowed as well as 48th in points allowed per game. This defensive battle is relatively lopsided.
Utah will travel to Stanford to take on the Cardinal at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 15. The game will be broadcasted on Pac-12 Network.
PREDICTION: Utah 20, Stanford 30
Want to see the Utes take on the Cardinal in week 12? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
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