(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
Although Utah has earned itself a seat on the throne of the Pac-12 five weeks into the season, the Utes are not the team that is top-to-bottom the most talented in the conference. The way they have managed to beat teams like Michigan and a much-improved Cal team is by doing all of the little things right.
This is not a team that will gain 500 yards of offense, nor the team to get involved in a high-scoring barn burner. What the 5-0 Utes will do is manage the game, take care of the ball, and take what the defense will give them play after play.
Not to say that there is no talent on this team because senior quarterback Travis Wilson and senior running back Devontae Booker have passed the eye test, as well as impressed on paper. All the eyes are going to naturally be on that two-headed monster, but the real players to watch are the ones that hope to prove Utah’s elite status in this weekend’s matchup.
Britain Covey, freshman wide receiver, #18
Covey and this receiving corps are going to have a lot to prove this game. Arizona State’s run defense has been phenomenal the last three weeks, only giving up a total of 187 rushing yards in its first three conference games.
Utah’s efficient offense has relied heavily on the run, with Booker and Wilson being its top two rushers. With the way ASU’s run defense has successfully shut down the ground offense of two top-25 teams (at the time), Utah will have no choice but to expand its passing offense into something the Sun Devils will have to worry about.
Booker will no doubt be the guy ASU will be head-hunting all night long, and he’s also is leading the Utes in receptions and receiving yards. And this is exactly why Covey will be someone to keep your eyes on.
In his first season at Utah, Covey is the team’s leader in receptions and yards for someone not named Devontae Booker. His 17 receptions for 182 yards as well as two visits to the end zone are very impressive, considering his youth and the rate at which Utah passes the ball.
If ASU is at its best defensively, Covey is going to be forced to make an impact.
Marcus Williams, sophomore safety, #20
Williams is the overseer of the fourth-best scoring defense in the conference, and in his first year as the solidified starter, he has done his job exceptionally well.
The sophomore is leading the conference in interceptions with four in five games, and with the way ASU’s passing attack has seemed to find its way in the last couple weeks, he will be someone to keep in mind for not only fans, but offensive coordinator Mike Norvell as well.
Williams is the statistical leader in terms of picking off quarterbacks on this defense, but two of his teammates accompany him in the top five in the conference.
Utah has ball hawks, and with Demario Richard not 100 percent, it will be interesting to see how the passing game is relied upon, and how the Utah secondary responds.
