Arizona @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 5, 2011 ) Utah 34, Arizona 21

Arizona remains unsure if quarterback Matt Scott will be available and Utah is absolutely certain it needs a victory to have a chance at stretching its consecutive bowl games streak when the teams meet in Pac-12 play on Saturday. Scott missed the Wildcats’ game against Colorado last week after suffering a concussion against UCLA on Nov. 3 and there is a good chance junior B.J. Denker will again be the starting quarterback. Utah needs back-to-back victories to be bowl eligible. The Utes have played in a bowl game in each of the last nine seasons. Utah lost to Washington last Saturday to end a two-game winning streak. Arizona routed Colorado for its third win in four games.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: None

ABOUT ARIZONA (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12 South): Sophomore running back Ka’Deem Carey set a Pac-12 record with 366 rushing yards in the 56-31 victory over Colorado. Carey also broke Trung Canidate’s school mark of 288 set in 1998 and averaged a whopping 14.6 yards per carry. The Pac-12 record previously held by Washington State’s Rueben Mayes (357) was set in 1984. Carey has rushed for 1,381 yards – his average of 138.1 per game ties for second-best nationally – and 18 scores. Denker completed 12 of 14 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns against Colorado. Sophomore receiver Austin Hill has 62 receptions for 1,023 yards and is one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award. Arizona’s defense continues to be suspect and is allowing 34.6 points and 491.9 yards per game.

ABOUT UTAH (4-6, 2-5): The Utes have been strong against the run and will be amped up to slow down Carey. Utah ranks third in the Pac-12 and 18th nationally by allowing 110.6 rushing yards per game. Senior defensive tackle Star Lotulelei has a team-leading nine tackles for losses. Lotulelei and junior strong-side linebacker Trevor Reilly (team-leading 57 tackles) have each forced three fumbles. Senior running back John White has topped 100 yards in three consecutive games and had a season-high 142 in the loss to Washington. Freshman quarterback Travis Wilson is completing 62.6 percent of his passes but struggled against the Huskies and was 8-of-23 for 55 yards with one interception.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Utah has a 20-15-2 lead in the series and won last year’s meeting, 34-21 in Tucson.

2. Utes returner Reggie Dunn is averaging 55.4 yards and scored three touchdowns on only seven kickoff returns.

3. Arizona is 0-3 on the road this season and has lost 10 of its last 11 away games.

PREDICTION: Arizona 27, Utah 24