Oregon Football: Preseason game-by-game predictions for 2017 season

Of course, it won’t be Carrington catching the winning pass at the Rose Bowl, because he’s now a Utah Ute after being dismissed for a DUII charge by Willie Taggart this summer. He will square off against his former teammates when the Utes visit Autzen Stadium on the Saturday before Halloween.

Utah was a contender in the Pac-12 South for most of last season. That loss to Oregon mathematically eliminated Utah from the division race last year. But a veteran squad should be back in the thick of the South this year, and the trip to Oregon could be a major tipping point for both teams.

If the Utes hope to keep pace with USC and the other schools in their division, they cannot falter in this contest. After getting to six wins, the Ducks might be a little complacent. That could prove fatal in this matchup.

Autzen fans will think they have this game in the bag early, with Oregon jumping out to an early lead. But Utah will claw back to narrow the deficit before halftime, and Kyle Whittingham and his staff will make adjustments at the intermission. Look for Carrington to potentially serve up a backbreaking play in the opposite direction this year.

FINAL: Utah 34, Oregon 30 (6-3)