Oregon State won this match up last year despite having just 226 total yards and averaging 1.9 ypc at home. Utah had 4 turnovers and two of them led to two easy TD's in Oregon States own territory. Oregon State has already had major injuries that has chipped away at their depth and the offensive line is major concern which is not good news when you are going on the road against a team that's played well to start and is seeking revenge. Utah's defense also has an All-PAC12 caliber player at each level and their strength is up front which should make things difficult for Oregon State's offense once again. DT Tenny Palepoi and end Reilly and Orchard are already off to a great start making plays behind the line of scrimmage.
On the flip side Oregon State's defense has looked vulnerable so far while Utah's offense was impressive against a very good Utah State defense that was top 25 run defense last year returning a ton of players on defense. Although Sean Mannion vs. an inexperienced secondary is an issue for Utah especially when Mannion has weapons in the end I don't trust Mannion on the road. He lost 27-8 at Utah with 3 INT's last time and once again Oregon State's defense gave up 600+ yards to Eastern Washington who had a dual threat QB. Utah's QB Travis Wilson has shown early he can run and pass with over 100 yards rushing he has combined for 668 total yards and looks like the real thing for Utah that desperately needed something positive on offense to help them compete in the PAC 12.
100 degree weather, and playing out west and I'm still taking Wisconsin? Wisconsin flew out on Thursday to get used to the time change and this unit is extremely deep at RB with three guys who have gone over 100 yards in each game so far. James White and Melvin Gordon can take it the distance on every carry combining for 1437 yards and 15 TD's a year ago (that was with Montee Ball racking up over 1800 and 23 TDs) and Corey Clement is more of the thumper. Arizona State's weakness is stopping the run because they are very much undersized. They were ranked 81st against the run last year and they never faced a running team like this that will run, run and run some more.
Wisconsin will be just too physical and Arizona State allowed 81% TD percentage at home inside the red zone. Joe Stave has looked poised so far against two cupcakes and should have a ton of confidence on play action hooking up with an All Big Ten WR in Jared Abbreuderis. Meanwhile Arizona State does feature a very good offense, but Wisconsin's defense has not given up a point yet this year and was very good last year. They moved to a 3-4 defense this year which seems like they were built for all along and they are anchored by arguably the best LB in the Big Ten in Chris Borland. Before Bret Bielema fled for Arkansas he had been calling this 2013 class his most talented well before he left. I think Wisconsin is smart enough to avoid Arizona's defensive strengths and they'll be able to dominate the time of possession and get out with an ugly win.
