Posted on by Jesse

Utah football vs. UCLA: Here’s 1 position to watch and 4 predictions

The Utes are still searching for consistency at one position as the season begins. Find out more in this week’s TribUte newsletter.

After four weeks of fall camp, the Utes are still looking for consistent playmakers at wide receiver.

Kyle Whittingham said the group was his biggest concern heading into the season. And it appears that’s still the case as Utah gets ready to open the 2025 season vs. UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Saturday (9 p.m. MT, FOX).

When asked who Utah’s top wideouts were, new Utes offensive coordinator Jason Beck said that he’s still looking for guys to step up in game action. Utah’s contest against the Bruins will be a big opportunity for that group.

“Some guys have been emerging in that way and doing a nice job,” Beck said in the final week of fall camp. “Some guys are close, and we’re just trying to keep forcing that issue of what we’re asking them to do, so that we can count on them in critical situations.

“They’ve all been doing a nice job.”

This week, Whittingham said he has been impressed with Cal transfer wide receiver Tobias Merriweather, who joined the Utes this spring. The junior pass catcher spent one season with the Bears, finishing with 11 receptions, 125 yards and one touchdown.

His size — standing at 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds — makes him an intriguing option in Utah’s wide receiver room.

“What we’ve seen in practice gives us confidence,” Whittingham said. “He’s got a big catch radius. … [He’s] a very smooth athletic guy, and [he] runs really well, and has a real knack for playing the contested ball, as you would expect with a guy with that frame.

“What we’ve seen in practice has been very encouraging, but again, you have to do it on game day.”

Despite having an unproven core of pass catchers, new Utah transfer quarterback Devon Dampier is confident in the Utes’ offense.

“Utah can score the ball,” Dampier said. “Utah obviously has always had the defense, but, you know, this is another year where Utah is going to be able to score the ball as well.”

4 predictions for Utah vs. UCLA

Here are my four bold predictions for Utah’s season-opening matchup.

  • Devon Dampier will have 250 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and one rushing score.
  • Smith Snowden will have one interception against UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava. He’ll be the only Ute to force a turnover.
  • Utah’s wide receivers will struggle. The tight ends, however, will combine for 150 receiving yards.
  • Utah will win by a field goal over the Bruins. I predict the final score will be 23-20.

    • How to watch the Utes

    Utah will face off against UCLA at 9 p.m. MT on Saturday in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

    The game will be broadcast on FOX.

    Source: Utah News