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UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown

By Jake Mitchell

Sep 16, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back TJ Harden (25) celebrates his touchdown scored against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins running back TJ Harden (25) celebrates his touchdown scored against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA Football
Sep 9, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dante Moore (3) throws a pass against the San Diego State Aztecs during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

After a strong 3-0 start, UCLA football will travel to Salt Lake for a showdown with the 11th-ranked Utah Utes.

2023 is off to a solid start for UCLA football, but their biggest test yet comes this week on a road trip to Utah. The Utes are undefeated as well, setting up one of the biggest matchups of what appears to be the best Pac-12 season in a long time.

Let’s break it down, position by position.

Quarterback: Tie (If Rising plays for Utah)

Dante Moore has been tremendous through the first three games of the season, but none of those games have been road trips to Salt Lake to play Kyle Whittingham’s defense. Moore has passed every test so far, but there’s a good chance it takes Moore a half of football to get going.

If Cam Rising were playing for Utah, the edge here would go to the Utes. His status, as of writing this Monday, is still in question. For now, we’ll write this as if Nate Johnson is getting the start.

After a shaky start for Bryson Barnes, Johnson has emerged as the interim starter until Rising returns. A dual threat, Johnson has completed 68.8 percent of his throws for 281 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 148 yards on 33 carries and picked up three touchdowns.

Running Back: UCLA

The Bruins have a committee of backs who can all catch the ball as well as they run it, and Chip Kelly has said he plans on continuing to give that group a bigger role. With a freshman quarterback on the road in the toughest environment he’s faced, these backs will get plenty of work catching swing passes and check-downs out of the backfield.

The Utes’ rushing attack is a two-headed one, led by Ja’Quinden Jackson and Jaylon Glover. They’ve combined for 306 yards on 56 carries through three games, helping form a strong running game with their emergent quarterback.

Receiver: Utah

The best wideout on the field Saturday may be UCLA’s J Michael Sturdivant, but the edge goes to the Utes when it comes to the overall groups.

Money Parks leads the way for Utah with eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns and Mikey Matthews has caught ten balls for 120.

Statistically, UCLA’s receivers are responsible for a lot more yards, but they have benefitted from better quarterback play and a more wide-open offense. Utah’s group has been reliable as the quarterback play has been up-and-down, and they also have a good pair of pass-catching tight ends in Thomas Yassin and Miki Suguturuga to further diversify their offense.

Offensive Line: Utah

Both offensive lines in this matchup have been solid thus far, paving the way for solid running games and keeping their quarterbacks mostly clean.

The Utes are going to get the edge here based on their more proven resume in 2023. Utah is posting three fewer yards per carry this season, but that comes with games against Florida and Baylor. UCLA hasn’t quite faced that level of competition from a defensive front.

Considering Florida’s strong defensive performance against the explosive Tennessee offense last week, this unit’s opening week showing looks even better in retrospect.

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