Can we score on the Utes without scoring for them with our offense? We've been in the habit during most of the losing streak of digging ourselves holes with rather gratuitous errors which hands the Utes early points. We've put next to zero pressure on their O, which always gets to play conservative because of the lead it's typically spotted.
This is far from easy. The Utes will be the Utes defensively. Tough up front in the trenches, physical and athletic in the secondary. They'll bully our WRs with their DBs, while their very capable DL attempts to impose its will, taking pressure off the linebackers. Perhaps our OL is finally tough enough to compete more evenly. Maybe the reintroduction of the tight end, coupled with a capable passer, is enough to loosen things up. It's far from a safe bet though.
Defensively, I like our chances. But at the end of the day, you must score points to win. Utah will have big-play potential with athletic wide outs, and they've almost always been a threat with their special teams. We have to get up on them and force them to do things they aren't as good at to try to stay in the game.
In the end, our O has to put points on the scoreboard unless the Utes decide to pay back the overwhelming favors we've granted them in pick 6's, scoop and scores off of fumbles, etc.