Three Things To Watch: No. 14 Utah Vs. Colorado

SALT LAKE CITY- No. 14 Utah will be in Boulder this weekend to take on Colorado to finish out the regular season. On the line is an off-chance at heading to Vegas the following week for an opportunity to compete for a Pac-12 Championship. Utah will need to handle business against the Buffaloes though as well as hope some of their conference-mates lend a helping hand.

UCLA beats Cal (barely 😬) ✅#GoUtes

— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) November 26, 2022

UCLA already did their part late Friday by beating Cal, but there are still other moving pieces at play that need to happen to make Utah’s goal of potentially repeating a reality. Here are three things to watch on Saturday as Utah takes on Colorado.

Just Win, Baby

Colorado is bad. Like, really, really, really, really, reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally bad. Add in a disappointing loss last week to an Oregon team the Utes held to just 20 points that would have pretty much stamped their ticket to Vegas and it’s easy to see how there could be disinterest in the upcoming game. 

Utah CANNOT let that happen though. Not if they want any hope of playing in the Pac-12 Title Game.

SLC 🛫 Boulder, CO pic.twitter.com/23M5Or42nj

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 25, 2022

Yes, Utah needs a lot of help from others in the conference, with one piece already being determined, but none of it matters if they don’t handle the piece they can control. Just win, baby.

A Little Help From My Friends

Normally this piece focuses on the things Utah needs to do in their games, but just by the nature of this game and what is at stake with others outside of the Utes’ control, it only makes sense this needs to be watched.

Utah fans (and the football team, though they will never admit it outright) will also be paying close attention to what Washington does against Washington State and Oregon State against Oregon.

Not only does Utah need to win on Saturday, but so does Washington and Oregon State in order to advance to the conference championship game the following week.

Cam Rising Bounces Back

It’s no secret that Utah quarterback Cam Rising hasn’t quite looked like himself since the USC game opting to sit out of the Washington State game and then feeling limited against Arizona, Stanford and Oregon.

Rising’s game against the Ducks last week was easily his worst as a Ute throwing three interceptions- something fans and media alike are not used to seeing.

The true definition of #PacLeaders 🤝

After a battle for the win against Utah, @oregonfootball’s Bo Nix weaved through the crown to find Cam Rising to shake hands after the tough game.#Pac12FB | @NewYorkLife pic.twitter.com/fJW6aa8MeN

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 24, 2022

Rising doesn’t have to be perfect this week if he ultimately plays- there has been some discussion as to whether or not he should rest, but not in a serious sense. If Rising does indeed play, watch for him to bounce back in preparation and hopes of going to Vegas next week.

Everyone has a bad game and Rising is no exception. However, Rising has also demonstrated countless times he is a fierce competitor and willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.

 

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

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