Oregon State @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2008 ) Oregon State 28, Utah 31

THE STORY: This was not what they envisioned in Utah when the Utes joined the Pac-12. A former power in the Mountain West Conference, Utah continues its search for its first Pac-12 victory when it hosts Oregon State. Even a decent season in the woeful Pac-12 South Division could have put the Utes in line for a berth in the initial conference title game but instead, Utah just hopes to notch one conference win and has a slim chance of becoming bowl eligible. Oregon State is also struggling but riding the arm of quarterback Sean Mannion as the Beavers are at least making things interesting down the stretch.

TV: Root Sports. LINE: Utah -5.

ABOUT OREGON STATE (2-5, 2-2 Pac-12 North): The Beavers have won two of their last three after an 0-4 start and Mannion has been doing the bulk of the work. He threw four touchdown passes in the Beavers' 44-21 victory over Washington State last week. Mannion passed for 376 yards, the 13th-highest total in school history, and is on pace to finish third at Oregon State for single-season passing. He should set most school freshmen passing marks. Oregon State has scored 109 points in its last three games and has gotten great support from running back Malcolm Agnew, who is averaging 125 yards. The Beavers play three ranked teams over the final four games - Stanford, Washington and Oregon - so they better get this one or they could be staring at a 2-9 season.

ABOUT UTAH (3-4, 0-4 Pac-12 South): The Utes surprised Pitt on the road two weeks ago but fell flat against California 34-10 last week. Utah trailed 20-0 at the half and managed only 27 yards of offense before the break. If the Utes don’t win this one, their last chance will probably come against the other Pac-12 newcomer, Colorado, who also joined the conference July 1. Utah has gotten little production at quarterback but will stick with Jon Hays because it has no other options. Hays replaced Jordan Wynn, who was lost for the season with a shoulder injury, and has only three touchdown passes in five games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Oregon State leads the all-time series 9-5-1, but Utah has won three of the last four, including the last game 31-28 in 2008.

2. The Utes are 1-2 at home.

3. Since 2004, Oregon State is 39-16 from October to the end of the season.

PREDICTION: Oregon State 34, Utah 23 - The Beavers are playing well offensively and that should be enough against a struggling Utah squad.