Utah arrives in Tucson with a perfect record, a No. 2 national ranking and the kind of momentum that changes the feel of a matchup. That’s a different level of challenge for Arizona than the Wildcats have seen in recent years, even with the series having swung back and forth during the Pac-12 era. Arizona won four straight from 2012-15, Utah answered with six in a row, and the Wildcats took the last two - including their Big 12 debut in 2024, when they knocked off a Top 10 Utah team on the road.
To get a better read on this version of the Utes, we turned to Josh Furlong of KSL.com for a scouting report and a score pick.
The biggest reason Utah is 9-0, Furlong said, starts with quarterback Devon Dampier, but it goes beyond one player. He pointed to the culture Morgan Scalley has built in a short time, saying the coach has given his team room to play loose while staying locked in on winning. That balance, Furlong said, has helped Utah grow without losing its edge.
Dampier is still the centerpiece. Arizona fans remember what he did at New Mexico, and Furlong said his game has moved forward in a few important ways this season.
He’s been better at working through progressions and staying in the pocket, which has let Utah do more with him at quarterback. At the same time, Furlong noted there are still moments when Dampier gets happy feet and his mechanics slip, which can cut into the passing game.
Utah’s offense gets another boost when Wayshawn Parker is healthy. Against Arizona, Furlong said Parker’s presence changes what the Utes can do because of his ability to break tackles and force defenses to account for him. That opens space for other playmakers and also gives Utah a stronger pass-protection element, something that has helped keep Dampier upright.
If Arizona’s secondary remains vulnerable, Utah has options ready to attack it. Furlong highlighted Braden Pegan as the main target, with Ricky Johnson and Creed Whittemore also in the mix. Johnson brings separation and reliable hands, Whittemore works the slot and has been effective in the intermediate game, and tight end Noah Bennee can slip through when defenses are busy tracking the other threats.
On the other side of the ball, Furlong expects Utah to make Noah Fifita beat them in tight coverage. He said the Utes will lean on man coverage while Colton Swan mixes in disguises and blitzes to keep Fifita uncomfortable. Because Fifita is such a dynamic passer, Utah will also try to contain him rather than let him create easy momentum plays.
Furlong also drew a distinction between Scalley and Kyle Whittingham, saying Scalley is more of a people person who sees the entire program as connected. He described Scalley as someone who still brings the same physical, hard-nosed approach as Whittingham, but with a stronger emphasis on keeping the roster unified and making sure everyone feels bought in.
As for the game itself, Furlong sees a tight one in Tucson. He called it a tricky road environment and said Utah is more complete, but only if it can limit Fifita and avoid letting the crowd swing the momentum. His pick: Utah 31, Arizona 24.
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