**Editor’s Note: Each week during football season, we feature an essay from the opponent’s student newspaper on why Oregon will lose. This week’s edition is from Ryan McDonald, the sports editor at the Daily Utah Chronicle.**
Well, this is anticlimactic.
Seemingly ever since the 2013 football schedule was released, Utah faithful have had Nov. 16 marked on their calendars. Saturday’s contest in Autzen Stadium between the Utes and the Ducks represents the biggest regular season stage Kyle Whittingham’s squad has been on since Utah joined the Pac-12 prior to the 2011 campaign. The chance to play the big boys every week and not just as BCS busters is a huge reason the Utes joined the conference in the first place.
As this season’s first few weeks unfolded, the feelings among Utah fans about the date with Oregon became akin to the emotions some might feel preparing for a first date with a dream spouse. Folks were pretty scared about what might happen, but super excited, too. But when the Utes beat then-No. 5 Stanford on Oct. 12, the thought in Salt Lake City was that Utah would be capable of topping the Ducks.
Fast forward a month and the anticipation surrounding Saturday has deflated like a balloon. The Utes have not played well in their three games since beating the Cardinal, as the run game has struggled, quarterback Travis Wilson has been awful and the offensive line isn’t giving the sophomore signal caller time to make a play even if he decides he wants to. Utah now has to win two of its final three games to become bowl eligible, something that seemed to be a foregone conclusion four weeks ago.
But at least it would have been fun to play the No. 2 team in the country this weekend, right? Oh wait. That’s not gonna happen either, and going up against the No. 6 squad in the nation just doesn’t quite have the same appeal. In a sense, though, playing an Oregon team that is coming off a loss is more frightening from the Utah perspective than playing a team that would have been either No. 2 or No. 3 in the country had it beaten Stanford.
Despite all of this, the Utes have two things going for them, a pair of items that will ultimately lead to victory. First, they seem to love gearing up for big games. Utah fell to then-No. 12 UCLA by just seven earlier this season, then topped the Cardinal nine days later. Players seem to recognize when the lights are on brightest, and they have thus far responded accordingly. Even though the Ducks are no longer in the national championship race, beating them would be like slaying another giant for the Utes.
Secondly, and more importantly, the Utah defense is genuinely very good. Led by defensive end/linebacker Trevor Reilly, the Utes lead the Pac-12 in sacks and are fourth in the conference in rushing defense. If Marcus Mariota is hampered again, Utah could have a great deal of success stopping the Ducks.
No, Saturday’s contest doesn’t have the excitement surrounding it that it once did. The Utes are enduring a tough stretch right now, but if their defense can play up to its capabilities and if the offense can find life, like it had earlier in the season, Utah will beat Oregon.
Follow Beth Maiman on Twitter @bethamaiman