Colorado State @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 10, 2009 ) Utah 24, Colorado State 17

Undefeated Utah looks to burnish its BCS resume when it hosts Mountain West foe Colorado State on Saturday.

The No. 9 Utes (6-0, 3-0) have won the past four meetings against the Rams (2-5, 1-2), including last year’s 24-17 victory in Fort Collins, Colo. Utah leads the all-time series 54-22-2.

Off to its third 6-0 start in seven years, Utah didn’t play its best in last week’s 30-6 win over Wyoming. Quarterback Jordan Wynn threw three interceptions, two in the end zone. But it didn’t matter as the defense allowed just 183 total yards while making an incredible 11 tackles for loss.

Running back Matt Asiata ran for 109 yards, giving Utah its first 100-yard performance this year.

For the season, Utah ranks fourth nationally in scoring (45.8) and ninth in points allowed (14.0).

The Utes are lethal on special teams.

They rank first nationally in kickoff returns (29.2 yards per return) and second in punt returns (21.7). Shaky Smithson has four games this season in which he’s broken 100 yards in punt returns. He had four punt returns for 111 yards against Wyoming.

Kicker Joe Phillips, meanwhile, has made 17 straight field goals after nailing a 48-yarder against the Cowboys.

With difficult games at Air Force (Oct. 30) and against No. 4 TCU (Nov. 6) looming, Utah must be careful not to overlook Colorado State.

The Rams rolled up 496 total yards in whipping UNLV 43-10 last week. It was a much-needed win after Colorado State started 1-5, losing all five by at least 21 points. It was the Rams’ first Mountain West victory since they beat Wyoming in November 2008.

Quarterback Pete Thomas threw for 233 yards and three scores on 10 of 14 passing, tight end Eric Peitz caught two touchdowns and tailback Leonard Mason gained 121 yards on just 14 carries.

Defensive tackle Guy Miller was a one-man wrecking crew, getting a school-record 4.5 sacks after entering the game with just two.

Despite the breakout performance, Colorado State ranks 109th in scoring (17.9) and 101st in points allowed (32.3). The Rams are giving up 411 yards per game.

Both teams have struggled with turnovers. Colorado State is minus-7, Utah minus-6. It’s just that the Utes have far more talent to overcome those mistakes.

Utah is playing its final season in the Mountain West before moving to the Pac-10. Interestingly, several scenarios exist in which the Utes could play in this season’s Rose Bowl, traditionally a destination for the Pac-10 champion.