Utah Utes vs San Jose State Football Preview

In most cases when a team’s starting quarterback goes down for several weeks, the players and coaches cross their fingers and hold on for dear life while hoping for the best. There is usually a drop-off in points and production, and additions to the loss column aren’t all too uncommon.

For the Utah Utes, however, a backup quarterback means four touchdowns a new school record for completion percentage in a game.

Utah starting quarterback Jordan Wynn has rested his injured thumb for the past two weeks, with backup (and former starter) Terrance Cain stepping in admirably. While Wynn is expected to begin making throws in practice this week, no one is in any hurry to risk further injury to a very valuable performer. 

No matter who leads the offense onto the field this Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, the Utah offense should have no problem scoring points against a visiting San Jose State team currently allowing 28.7 points per game. 

Much like the Utes’ quarterbacking, the Utah running game is evenly split between two players. Utah also has two pass catchers with over 200 receiving yards, as well as a return man – Shaky Smithson – with two punt returns for touchdowns to his credit so far. Smithson has clearly overcome his two fumbles on a sweaty-palmed opening night against Pittsburgh on Sept. 2.

It’s plain for all to see: This Utah squad is a deep and dangerous team with talent spilling out in full flower all over the field. 

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The 13th-ranked Utes, coming off a 56-14 dismantling of lowly New Mexico, have little to worry about and much to look forward to, at least at the present moment. With over a month before their showdown with Air Force and the Falcons’ unheard-of, nation-leading 399 rushing yards per game, look for the Utah defense to begin looking for ways to nullify their opponents’ rushing attack and put teams in predictable passing situations. Utah is very lucky that the injury to Wynn has come at a time when the Utes’ schedule is soft and cushy. The Utes can develop Cain at the quarterback spot and – on a larger level – cultivate a lot of talent before their back-loaded schedule, a brutal stretch in which they’ll play not only Air Force, but also TCU and BYU.  

This date with San Jose State comes way before that gauntlet, so it isn’t a trap game. Therefore, look for the Utes’ defense to place the game squarely on the shoulders of San Jose State quarterback Jordan La Secla. 

The senior leader for SJSU boasts a 68-percent completion rate thus far, which is quite impressive when you consider that two of the Spartans’ three games in 2010 have come against top teams – No. 1 Alabama and No. 11 Wisconsin. 

While credit must be given to this type of performance, it hasn’t been enough and simply will not be enough to take down Utah. As efficient as La Secla may be, he has not been a potent point producer. His completion percentage looks good on the stat sheet, but it hasn’t accompanied a copious amount of touchdowns. Look for Utah to focus on the Spartan running game and pick its spots in an attempt to bait La Secla into throwing interceptions. 

On the other side of the ball, San Jose State’s defensive star – senior safety Duke Ihenacho – was just lost for the season after breaking his foot. The Spartans – as they continue their tour of nationally-ranked non-conference opponents, will have a hard time keeping up with one of the best non-BCS conference teams in America.

By: Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer