UCLA @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2007 ) UCLA 6, Utah 44

THE STORY: A few weeks ago, UCLA was viewed as one of the more disappointing programs in the nation. Now the Bruins control their destiny in the Pac-12 South heading into their game at Utah. Rick Neuheisel’s squad stunned division favorite Arizona State 29-28 last week and can take another step at being the South’s representative in the Pac-12 title game by defeating the Utes. UCLA’s surprising rise began after being drubbed 48-12 by Arizona on Oct. 20. Utah has won three of its past four games, including a victory over Arizona last week.

TV: Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), KJZZ (Salt Lake City). LINE: Utah -7.

ABOUT UTAH (5-4, 2-4 Pac-12 South): The Utes have won consecutive Pac-12 contests against Oregon State and Arizona after losing their first four conference games as part of the league. Utah is 5-0 when standout running back John White tops the 100-yard mark. White’s 1,024 yards are 10th most in Utes history. Quarterback Jon Hays is growing into the position and making better decisions, and threw scoring passes of 65 yards to DeVonte Christopher and 44 yards to Reggie Dunn against Arizona. The Utes allow 95.4 rushing yards, second-lowest in the Pac-12 behind Stanford. Middle linebacker Chaz Walker has a team-best 76 tackles and outside linebacker Trevor Reilly has a team-leading five sacks.

ABOUT UCLA (5-4, 4-2): The Bruins beat California two weeks ago before stunning the Sun Devils to move into a tie for first in the South. UCLA is only 3-13 in conference road games under Neuheisel. Kevin Prince is expected to start at quarterback despite Richard Brehaut returning to practice after an early-October leg injury. Receiver Nelson Rosario had 151 yards last week and is 34 away from reaching 2,000 career receiving yards. Rosario is averaging 19.1 yards on 40 receptions. The Bruins allow 186.4 yards on the ground, second-worst in the Pac-12. UCLA has only 10 sacks with defensive lineman Datone Jones having a team-leading three.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. UCLA leads the series 8-1, but Utah routed the Bruins in the most-recent meeting, 44-6 in 2007.

2. Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow ran UCLA’s offense the previous three seasons.

3. The Utes become bowl eligible with a win while seeking to stretch their bowl game streak to nine straight seasons.

PREDICTION: Utah 17, UCLA 14 - The Utes dent UCLA’s division-title hopes by winning a defensive struggle.