Pac-12 Football 2017: 5 teams on upset alert in Week 9

2. Utah Utes

Utah isn’t ranked too much higher than the Oregon Ducks but Oregon has fallen on hard times with Justin Herbert on the shelf. Braxton Burmeister, the back up quarterback replacing Herbert, has struggled mightily as a true freshman. Oregon started 2017 with a 4-1 record and looking strong in the Pac-12.

Since Herbert was injured on a touchdown run against Cal, the Ducks have lost three straight. Every week Burmesiter has improved, ever so slightly, and Utah could be the week he finally puts it together. Utah is 36th in defense per the S&P+ and Oregon’s offense is still at 36th even without their quarterback.

Oregon’s Royce Freeman is on the cusp of 1,000 yards rushing and already has ten touchdowns. He’s joined by Kani Benoit‘s 8 touchdowns and 6.5 yards per carry for the Ducks. If Burmeister can protect the ball better than his one touchdown to five interceptions ratio has shown Oregon can upset the Utes this weekend.

The Utah passing game is abysmal no matter who is playing quarterback. Tyler Huntley and Troy Williams have nine touchdowns to nine interceptions and Tyler Huntley has run for only 3.8 yards per carry. Zach Moss has ran for 500+ yards and 5.1 yards per carry for the Utes. Utah is 4-3 having los their last three games to Stanford, USC and Arizona State.