Utah Football: 3 bold predictions for Pac-12 title game vs. Oregon

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – NOVEMBER 02: Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes warms up prior to taking on the Washington Huskies during their game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

2. Tyler Huntley will out-duel Justin Herbert

Coming into the season, Tyler Huntley and Justin Herbert were facing two completely different situations.

Huntley, coming off a season-ending injury in 2018, was faced with uncertainty as no one knew if they would see the same, reliable passer who had led the Utes for a couple of years. He was likely to be rusty and all that was expected was for him to be slightly above average.

Herbert, fresh off the decision to come back for his senior year, was a top NFL draft prospect and thought to be the No. 1 quarterback chosen in 2020. He was essentially just back so he could try to lead Oregon to a national title as he believed his first-round status was close to a lock.

Both have trended in opposite directions, though.

Herbert isn’t having a bad year, but he’s not putting up video game-like numbers as he expected while Huntley is on the cusp of a potential invite to New York for the Heisman ceremony as a dark-horse contender. That trend will continue on Friday night.

The Utah quarterback may not get the headlines or recognition of Herbert, but that will soon change as he’ll out-duel his Oregon counterpart with 300 yards and two touchdown passes with a 70-plus percent completion rate.

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