Utah @ Colorado preview

Utah at Colorado

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2011 ) Colorado 17, Utah 14

Colorado and Utah, who came into the Pac-12 last year together, meet in the season finale for both teams as the Buffaloes and Utes look to finish disappointing campaigns on a high note. Colorado, which has dropped seven in a row, has plummeted under second-year coach and alum Jon Embree. The Buffaloes are last in the nation in scoring offense and scoring defense, and have been outscored by an average of 38 points during their seven-game slide. Utah has also struggled most of the season and the Utes, who have not won on the road all season, will miss a bowl game for the first time in a decade (2002).

TV: 3 p.m. ET, FX. LINE: Utah -22

ABOUT UTAH (4-7, 2-6 Pac-12): Friday's day game is only the third of the season for the Utes, who are 1-1 in afternoon kickoffs. Utah's defense has been solid most of the season, ranking third in the Pac-12 against the run and the pass and fifth in total defense. The Utes are tied for the national lead in fumbles returned for touchdowns (four) and are fourth in forced fumbles with 19. Offensively, Utah is averaging 34.3 points in its last four games and leads the high octane Pac-12 in time of possession (32:28). Running back John White, who has four 100-yard games, needs 127 yards to reach 1,000 for the year and become the first player in Utah history to gain 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.

ABOUT COLORADO (1-10, 1-7): The Buffaloes have allowed 50.7 points per game during their seven-game slide while scoring only 12.1. Colorado has scored more than 17 points only once since September and has been held to six points or less three times during the skid. Last week in a 38-3 loss to Washington, the Buffaloes gained only 141 total yards and had more turnovers (five) than points. Colorado is last in the Pac-12 in nine team statistical categories. The Buffaloes' offense (16.3 points per game) is its worst since the 1984 team averaged 15.6 points en route to a 1-10 season. A loss would give Colorado its worst record by winning percentage since the inaugural team of 1890 went 0-4 and the most losses in a season in school history.

1. Colorado leads the series 31-24-3, including last year's 17-14 upset victory at Salt Lake City, a loss that kept Utah out of the Pac-12 championship game against Oregon.

2. Utah's last losing season was 2002, when the Utes went 5-6 in Ron McBride's final season. Utah then hired Urban Meyer away from Bowling Green.

3. Colorado and Utah are known for their national prowess on the slopes in skiing, a co-ed sport. Colorado has won 17 NCAA skiing championships while Utah has claimed 10.

PREDICTION: Utah 44, Colorado 20