Vikings Draft 2020: College games to watch in Week 5
By Luke Parrish
Washington State at #19 Utah
When: Saturday, September 28 at 10:00 p.m. ET
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, UT
TV: FS1
Washington State is coming off one of the most disappointing losses I can remember. The Cougars blew a 32-point second-half lead against UCLA last weekend. Utah came up short last week against USC, dropping them out of the top-10. Both squads look to bounce back and stay in the hunt for a Pac-12 title.
Washington State
The Cougars run an air raid offense that features a high-powered passing attack. Quarterback Anthony Gordon already has 1,894 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season. Gordon racked up 570 yards and nine touchdowns in last week’s loss to UCLA. Sophomore running back Max Borghi is one of the best young satellite backs in America. He has 691 career rushing yards along with 543 yards out of the air.
Wide receivers Easop Winston, Dezmon Patmon, and Brandon Arconado carry the passing attack. Winston has 26 catches for 348 yards and eight touchdowns on the young season. Patmon has 17 receptions for 290 yards and three touchdowns. Arconado has 25 grabs for 352 yards and one score. The trio is averaging 14.6 yards per catch on the season.
Utah
Quarterback Tyler Huntley is questionable for this game. Huntley has cleaned up his passing attack and may have done enough to get his name on NFL radars. He is in the midst of his best passing season, setting personal bests in completion percentage, yards per attempt, and quarterback rating. He is also yet to throw an interception.
Running back Zack Moss is not expected to play, but if he suits up he will be a guy to watch. The senior runner has improved each season and is averaging over six yards per carry.
At least one of the teams in this game has a defense. Utah is loaded with NFL pieces on the defensive side. Bradlee Anae is a powerful edge defender who will wear out the offensive tackles all night. He hustles on every snap and uses his strong frame to cause issues in the backfield.
Defensive tackle Leki Fotu is a giant up the middle who can get in the backfield. His 335-pound body is tough to block, and he has enough athleticism to take over games.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson has a ton of length and speed, making him tough to beat on the outside. He had four interceptions last season but has struggled to start his 2019. Safety Julian Blackmon has two interceptions and a pick-six in three games this season. Utah has the talent on defense, they just haven’t put it together quite yet this season.