Stanford Vs. No. 13 Utah May Come Down To Who Is Healthiest

SALT LAKE CITY- Within the early days of the Pac-12 the 2 groups you by no means wished in your schedule had been Stanford and Utah since you’d be feeling it days after the very fact. As of late the Utes nonetheless maintain the identical status, however the Cardinal has slipped from the physicality they had been as soon as identified for. On Saturday the 2 groups will face off at Rice-Eccles Stadium and the sport could also be decided by who’s the healthiest.

Each Utah and Stanford have been overwhelmed up. From Utah’s perspective it’s just a little exhausting to know the place they stand because of head coach Kyle Whittingham not speaking about accidents until they’re season-ending. What we do find out about Utah heading into this contest injury-wise is quarterback Cam Rising hasn’t been 100% and Dalton Kincaid missed the sport in opposition to Arizona. Now there are some questions on whether or not operating backs Jaylon Glover and Ja’Quinden Jackson shall be able to go.

Stanford then again does discuss their accidents and whereas they’re banged up, as of Tuesday it’s not wanting as bleak for the Cardinal because it as soon as did.  Final week Stanford had 4 defensive gamers exit of their recreation with WSU in linebackers Lavani Damuni and Ricky Miezan, whereas safeties Patrick Fields and Kendall Williamson additionally got here out.

One other attention-grabbing element of Saturday’s contest after all stems from revenge. Utah travelled to Palo Alto final 12 months and completely humiliated Stanford in 52-7 contest the place the Utes flirted with 500 yards dashing. There isn’t any doubt that David Shaw and the Cardinal haven’t forgotten about that- particularly contemporary off of a 52-14 loss to Washington State final week.

Breaking Down The Stanford Cardinal

Stanford’s Bradford M. Freeman Director of Soccer (head coach) David Shaw has been with the Cardinal as the top man in cost since 2011. In that point, he has helped lead Stanford to a few Pac-12 Championships, and 5 Pac-12 North Division Titles. Nevertheless, the previous few seasons have seen a decline in manufacturing for Stanford- particularly the final two years.

The Cardinal sit at 3-6 heading into Salt Lake Metropolis and have to win out in the event that they wish to be bowl eligible. In 2022 not a lot has gone proper for Stanford and it looks as if a tall activity, however once they have been on, they’ve eeked-out some respectable wins in opposition to Arizona State and Notre Dame. The losses have been unhealthy although and the schedule doesn’t get simpler with Utah, BYU, and Cal left on the schedule.

Shaw shall be seeking to quarterback Tanner McKee to steer the cost and get the ball out to Stanford’s high playmakers. McKee is a man with NFL potential- has the dimensions and arm, however generally has had a tough time with resolution making. In 2022 McKee has accomplished 193 passes for two,208 yards, 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Very similar to Utah, Stanford appreciates the ability of a pass-catching tight finish and have an excellent one in Benjamin Yurosek who’s the Cardinal’s third main receiver. Up to now Yurosek has caught 41 passes for 372 yards and a landing.

Stanford additionally has a reasonably good secure of receivers. Their high two pass-catchers are Elijah Higgins and Michael Wilson. Higgins and reeled in 37 receptions for 453 yards and a landing, whereas Wilson has introduced in 26 receptions for 418 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Operating the ball acquired difficult for Stanford’s beginning ball provider E.J. Smith (son of Emmitt Smith) when he went down with harm earlier within the season. With Smith not out there, the Cardinal look to Casey Filkins to steer the bottom assault. Filkins at the moment has 122 carries for 478 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Defensively is the place issues may get very bushy for Stanford in Saturday’s contest as their high three gamers are questionable. Damuni, Williamson, and Fields had been three of the 4 gamers who went out in opposition to the Cougars, and so they lead the stat chart for Stanford.

Damuni has recorded 52 tackles for Stanford, one sack, two passes defended, one interception and one pressured fumble. Williamson has 49 tackles to his identify, two passes defended, one interception, and one pressured fumble. Fields has added 40 tackles, two sacks, and one go defended.

With the Utes having some harm questions on offense and Stanford on protection, it may make for a really attention-grabbing matchup that might go an extended strategy to figuring out the sport relying on who can and may’t go.

Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of each the Crimson Nook Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Present (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports activities Zone. Comply with her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports

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