Utah offensive line is Utes' main question mark vs Arkansas

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

When Utah plays Arkansas, the Razorbacks need to approach the game in two parts: The first part is the defensive line outplaying Utah's offensive line and basically gumming things up for the Utes. The second part is for the offense, in a close and low-scoring game, to make the clutch plays it absolutely has to make to carry the team to the finish line. The defense has to give the team a chance to win. The offense has to do something if it gets that chance. 

The Deseret News noted earlier in the week that "Utah was missing projected offensive line starter Keith Olson and projected rotation player Isaiah Garcia to begin the season, starting Zereoue Williams, Solatoa Moea’i, Alex Harrison, Roger Alderman and Cedric Jefferson. For the most part, the group was solid, but — as expected — took a little bit to get going.

“'I felt as the game went on, they played much more cohesive … Didn’t give up a sack, proud of the way our offensive line (played). We had a good rotation there at the guard spot. I thought guys got quality reps, and so we’ll settle in on a starting five this week that hopefully can last us throughout the game,' Utah coach Morgan Scalley said.

Scalley also noted that Arkansas' defensive line can really compete.

"You watch that team and they’re big, big up front. So that’s, again, going to be the challenge is that battle up front, both on the offense and defensive sides. They’ve got a very twitchy athletic edge rusher in (Steven Soles Jr.), who is a transfer from Kentucky. They’re more of an odd front with (defensive coordinator) Ron Roberts coming from Florida,” he said.

This is where Arkansas has to strike. Utah did not dominate in the first quarter of its opening game against Idaho last week. The Utes needed two takeaways from their defense to build an early 10-0 lead and eventually take control. The offense got better as the game went along, but the offensive line was not sharp coming out of the blocks when the game began. Arkansas has to do what Idaho did: Throw the first punch and get the Utah offensive line on its heels. Arkansas has better athletes than Idaho and can sustain the effort the Vandals failed to maintain. If Arkansas can knock Utah off balance and contain the Utes' offense, the Hogs have a chance to steal this game.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos