Utah Football: 3 takeaways from home shutout over Cal in Week 9

1. Zack Moss makes a huge difference in the backfield

Speaking of injuries, Utah is a far better offense with Zack Moss in the backfield than when the veteran running back is sidelined by injury. Moss, it must be remembered, was knocked out of the USC game early in what proved to be an eventual loss against the Trojans. Had Moss remained healthy in that contest, Utah might very well be undefeated at this moment.

The Utes ran for 192 yards as a team in the win over Washington State while Moss was sidelined, a respectable number that showed Utah can win with a backfield-by-committee approach. But they are far more dynamic when Moss is on the field, as he proved once again on Saturday night with his second straight 100-yard rushing game since returning to form.

Moss finished the night with 115 yards on 17 carries, rushing for two touchdowns along the way to the big Utah win. Just as important, Moss showcased his receiving skills out of the backfield with three catches for 89 yards. With more than 200 total offensive yards, Moss is a supercharger that makes the whole Utah offense run at a whole different level.

The Utes at this point look like the surefire best team in the Pac-12 South, and potentially in the entire conference. Utah could even leapfrog the Ducks after they overwhelmed one of the biggest spoilers in the North this year in Week 9.