Utah Football: Updated game-by-game predictions for 2020
By Riley Platt
The Utes will once again face a team coming off of a 4-8 season when they take on Kevin Sumlin’s Arizona Wildcats. There have been promising moments during Sumlin’s tenure in Tucson, but things have gone downhill lately.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment for Arizona had been the fall of one-time Heisman candidate Khalil Tate. The quarterback was drawing national attention, but has seen his performance take a dive. However, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles (was later waived) and the Wildcats will be moving on at the position.
To add to the vacancy, Kevin Doyle has opted out of the 2020 season. This essentially secures the job for sophomore Grant Gunnell, who showed promise in 2019. While Gunnell could very well be a solid quarterback for the Wildcats, Utah will just be too much for Arizona.
Look for the Utes to run away with this one.
Final Score: Utah 41, Arizona 14 (5-0)
No one really knows what to expect from Arizona State going into 2020. Herm Edwards has done a fantastic job since arriving in Tempe in 2018. Arizona State’s 2019 season was a solid one, with the main highlight being an upset win over No. 6 Oregon.
While last year ended with a Sun Bowl loss to Florida State, it still indicated that the future was bright. The Sun Devils lose stud receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but return budding star quarterback Jayden Daniels. As just a true freshman, he threw for 2,943 yards. His debut has quietly made Daniels one of the most under-the-radar quarterbacks in the country.
Daniels will no longer have the luxury of being an unknown freshman. Utah’s front-seven will put pressure on Daniels, which could force him into making some crucial mistakes. He settled in last year, and will continue to progress as a player.
Arizona State could very well be a surprise team this year, and are more than capable of upsetting the Utes in Week 6. Look for just this to happen when Utah and ASU collide in November.
Final Score: Arizona State 35, Utah 31 (5-1)