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BOULDER — The Utes are coming off a last-second heartbreak loss to BYU, and now have a new challenge as they head to Boulder to face former Pac-12 rival Colorado.
Brandon Rose suffered a season-ending lisfranc injury last week, leaving former starter in Isaac Wilson to be the team's quarterback again; however, he's been dealing with an illness and is a game-time decision.
Ron McBride just said on the air with @975hans and me that he believes that Isaac Wilson will not be available for the Utes tomorrow as he is dealing with illness.
— Scott Garrard (@ScottyGZone) November 15, 2024
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If he's not available, in steps in Luke "Ferrari" Bottari, who has been with the Utes for three seasons and appeared in two games for Utah last year. Bottari started against Colorado last year in the 23-17 win and threw one pass against Northwestern in the Las Vegas Bowl.
What do the Utes need to do to take down the Buffaloes and keep their bowl hopes alive?
Limit Colorado's offensive output
Colorado's offense may be the best the Utes see this season. After holding a hot BYU offense to one offensive touchdown, the Buffaloes have one of the best quarterbacks and wide receivers in the Big 12 in Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.
Sanders has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards in nine games this year and has the chance to reach last season's total of 3,230 in the next few games.
But Sanders is one of the most sacked quarterbacks in college football, recording 28 sacks this year and 52 last year. Sanders is the fourth most pressured quarterback in college football, and his 28 sacks is the seventh most in the sport, according to Pro Football Focus.
Utah's defensive line is finally healthy for the first time since Southern Utah, and the Utes showed it off last week by sacking Jake Retzlaff three times, generating BYU's second worst pass block grade this season.
Utah's ability to get to the quarterback has been big for them this season, and doing it again against a struggling Colorado offensive line will be a pivotal key to upsetting the Buffaloes.
Play with nothing to lose
There is very little to lose for Utah the rest of this season aside from not making a bowl game. Playing loose and opening up the playbook will keep Colorado on its toes and not allow them to run over Utah.
Opening up the playbook last week put BYU in a spot they could not do whatever they wanted, as the Utes scored three times in the second quarter. It was only until Utah went with a conservative style that the offense seemed to die down.
The Utes could be potentially on their fifth-string quarterback due to Sam Huard having season-ending knee surgery two weeks ago. Bottari was 6-of-10 against the Buffaloes last year for 61 yards, but rushed for two touchdowns.
Bottari was named the Northern California Player of the Year at College of San Mateo where he played from 2019-21. He was 22-3 in 25 starts and accumulated 4,673 yards and 48 touchdowns in his career.
Bottari left the Utes after the 2022 season to Cal via the transfer portal before returning back to Utah just a few months later.
While the eye test says Colorado's defense struggles — giving up 21 or more points seven times this year — PFF has them ranked 31 in FBS, setting Utah up for another challenge on offense.
Prepare the secondary
As mentioned, Sanders has thrown for many yards this season, which means the team throw a lot. Sanders has the ninth most dropbacks in Division I this year, and six players ahead of him have played more games. Sanders has the third best offensive grade, according to PFF, and his offensive weapons are a big reason.
Hunter, LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr. — who is questionable — have been efficient for Colorado this year, totaling 18 of Sanders' 24 touchdowns. Preparing and expecting Utah's secondary to see a massive workload is a must. Colorado ranks dead last in FBS in rushing yards at 705 with a blistering 2.7 yard per carry average.
Utah's run defense has been good this year, but dropping more into coverage will give Colorado fits.
The Utes will look to keep bowl eligibility hopes intact as they take on Colorado at 10 a.m. MST Saturday on FOX.
