Utah Vs. Cal: Utes Hopeful Everything Comes Together Against Bears

Is Utah getting better, or are they still struggling to be the team they should be?

Utecentral, Ute Football Central: My heart tells me that they are better than their 2-5 record and despite only scoring 7 points, the team had several solid drives against OSU that should have led to scores, but just didn't happen for one reason or another. This is a very different picture from this offense several weeks ago that couldn't sustain a drive and had repeated "3 and out" drives that burdened a tired defense. I think the defense was much stronger against OSU because the offense was sustaining drives. Now if they could just learn to score, we might have something here.

Sean Reynolds, Block U: It’s hard to say. Winning on the road is tough in the Pac-12, and the opponents are infinitely better than they were last year (especially Oregon State). I don’t think we can answer that until this Saturday against Cal. Win, and yeah. Lose? I think it’s safe to say the season is stagnant.

How well do you think you match up with Cal? You struggled last year, but obviously it's a different season.

Utecentral, Ute Football Central: Cal has awesome athletes, but so does UCLA, OSU and USC and for the most part, they were able to contain them. I think if the offense can come out stronger and score early, the Utes have a good shot at getting their first conference victory and ending their 4 game losing streak. Cal's defense isn't the same dominant force that killed the Utes last year in San Francisco so hopefully that will bode well for an offense that is trying to find themselves. Utah is a vastly better home team (who isn't, oh year...sorry Wazzu), and Cal isn't great on the road so maybe that trend continues.

Sean Reynolds, Block U: I guess it depends on which Cal team shows up.

What's your prediction for this week's game?

Utecentral, Ute Football Central: It's going to be cold and the Utes have practiced outside all week to be prepared for a cold game. Last year, the cold shocked UCLA and perhaps it will do the same against Cal. I'll go with Utah winning 24-14.

Sean Reynolds, Block U: I’ll go with 24-14 Utah.

Note: This is not hive mind. Both these Utah writers came up with the same score prediction independent of the other.