Is Cam Rising playing today vs. UCLA?

No. 11 Utah already has its work cut out against No. 22 UCLA, but the status of quarterback Cam Rising is a hinge on which the game could swing. 

It’s been a pretty glorious start to the season for the Utah Utes. The reigning Pac-12 champions — and perhaps one of the last true champs of the conference — have taken care of business in their first three games and rank as one of the best teams in the country.

All of this has happened without the assistance of star quarterback Cam Rising.

Rising has missed the Utes first three games while recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in the team’s Rose Bowl loss back in January.

Utah has managed a 3-0 start despite not having their star quarterback, as Nate Johnson has been able to step up and fill in so far. It’s something that’s already been quite the test, as Utah needed to reply on their backup quarterback to lead a comeback win over Baylor a few weeks ago.

To his credit, Johnson managed to weather the storm and has guided the Utes to an undefeated start. The longer the team goes without Rising, the sooner they might accidentally fall.

Is Cam Rising playing today vs. UCLA?

According to Pete Thamel, Utah will once again be without Cam Rising. In his place, the Utes will be starting Nate Johnson against UCLA on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a tall order, but confidence is starting to grow that Johnson can continue to navigate the season as the Utes starter. His calm under pressure against Baylor went a long way in convincing folks that he has what it takes and another gutsy performance against UCLA on Saturday will only further help his cause.

Something else it will do is demand respect be put on the Utes name.

Heading into Saturday Utah is the No. 11 team in the country, and are rising up the poll without their starting quarterback. Assuming Johnson can keep the season on track, Utah will be in a brilliant position to further assert its dominance and make its case for the College Football Playoff once Rising returns.

All of that can come crashing down on Saturday, though, if the team struggles against UCLA. So far it seems like Johnson can manage well enough, but the biggest test of the season awaits.