UCLA 2016 schedule preview: Utah

Utah quarterback Travis Wilson (7) tries to block a tackle from UCLA linebacker Kene Orjioke, right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Kim Raff)

Utah quarterback Travis Wilson (7) tries to block a tackle from UCLA linebacker Kene Orjioke, right, in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Kim Raff)

Continuing the look at UCLA’s 2016 schedule, here is a breakdown of the Bruins’ seventh opponent, Utah.

UCLA vs. Utah
Saturday, Oct. 22 | Rose Bowl

2015 in review

Utah has seemingly turned the corner as the Utes are coming off their best season (10-3, 6-3 Pac-12) since joining the Pac-12. The Utes started the year with six straight wins, rising to No. 3 in the nation before losing to USC at the Coliseum. UCLA’s 17-9 victory over the Utes officially ended Utah’s hopes at a Pac-12 South crown on Nov. 21. While the UCLA offense was held to a season-low in points, the defense carried the load. The Bruins kept Utah out of the end zone as the Utes settled for just three field goals in a 17-9 UCLA victory. Utah finished in a tie for the South title, but lost the chance to play in the Pac-12 Championship game due to a head-to-head tiebreaker with USC.


Storylines

— Tight race Utah was one win away from playing in its first-ever Pac-12 Championship game last year. If the Utes can settle their quarterback position and find some consistency on offense, they will be a strong challenger in the Pac-12 South race again this year. UCLA’s matchup with Utah in October could play a significant role in determining who gets to play in Santa Clara in December.

— Wanted: Playmakers The Utes are specifically looking for a playmaking receiver to emerge. The team’s leading returning receiver is tight end Harrison Handley, who had 286 receiving yards and four touchdowns last year. The Utah defense has been consistent, but the Utes need help on offense, especially with running back Devontae Booker gone now.

 — New linebackers Utah has experience and depth on the defensive line and secondary, but is losing two starters at linebacker: Gionni Paul and Jared Norris. The duo were first and second, respectively, on the team in tackles (204 combined) last year. Paul led Utah in tackles (117) and tackles for loss (13.5) while also notching three sacks and four interceptions.


Utah players to watch

— QB Troy Williams The former Washington quarterback is the likely replacement for Travis Wilson. Williams, who transferred to Santa Monica College from Washington, “started to separate himself” in the quarterback competition during spring camp, head coach Kyle Whittingham said at Pac-12 Media Days, but hurt his shoulder. Brandon Cox and Tyler Huntley are the other contenders at quarterback.

— RB Joe Williams Losing Booker for the final three games of the year was a big disappointment for a Utah team that was in position to chase the Pac-12 South crown, but the Utes found a worthy replacement in Joe Williams. The senior had 399 rushing yards on 85 carries in the final three games as the primary ball carrier. He started his college career at UConn, but transferred to ASA College in Brooklyn, N.Y. for one year before coming to Utah in 2014.

— DT Lowell Lotulelei The defensive lineman earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors last year with 26 total tackles, including five for loss. He anchors a stout Utah defense that led the conference in rushing yards allowed in 2015 (108.6).


Statistical comparison


Utah in GIF form

via GIPHY

2016 UCLA schedule

Sat., Sept. 3: UCLA at Texas A&M — 12:30 p.m., CBS
Sat., Sept. 10: UNLV at UCLA — 5 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Sat., Sept. 17: UCLA at BYU — 7:15 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2
Sat., Sept. 24: Stanford at UCLA
Sat., Oct. 1: Arizona at UCLA
Sat., Oct. 8: UCLA at Arizona State
Sat., Oct. 15: UCLA at Washington State
Sat., Oct 22: Utah at UCLA
Sat., Oct. 28: BYE
Thurs., Nov. 3: UCLA at Colorado — 6 p.m., FOX Sports 1
Sat., Nov. 12: Oregon State at UCLA
Sat., Nov. 19: USC at UCLA
Sat., Nov. 26: UCLA at California

Home games in bold, all times in Pacific Time