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No. 20 UTAH (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) at OREGON STATE (4-1, 1-1) , 10:05 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 2)
Utah by 2 1/2
Series Record: Oregon State leads 8-6-1
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The No. 20 Utes are enjoying their highest ranking in the AP Top 25 since late 2010. Utah has proven that it can win on the road with a statement-making 26-10 victory over Michigan at the Big House during nonconference play, before a 30-28 win at then-No. 8 UCLA. The Beavers' last outing was a 36-31 victory over Colorado, but they have had just one big test so far this season, a 35-10 loss to USC in Los Angeles. With a win, Oregon State would move to 2-1 in conference play, sitting atop the Pac-12 North standings at least until Saturday with No. 9 Oregon and No. 23 Stanford.
KEY MATCHUP
Sean Mannion against Utah's defense. The Utes' lone loss this season came to Washington State with its prolific Air Raid offense. Mannion is the classic drop-back passer in Oregon State's pro-style offense, but he'll face a challenge in Utah's defense, which leads the nation with an average of 5.6 sacks a game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Utah: Defensive end Nate Orchard sacked UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley four times, and he leads the nation with 8.5 sacks this season. He's also collected 24 tackles, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Oregon State: Mannion needs 588 yards passing to leap past former Trojans QB Matt Barkley (12,327) for the Pac-12 record. Mannion has thrown for 1,304 yards with five touchdowns so far this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
The game was originally scheduled for Fox Sports 1 but had to be rescheduled because of Major League Baseball's playoffs. ... Oregon State is 5-1-1 over Utah in Corvallis. ... The Beavers beat the Utes 51-48 in overtime last year for Oregon State's first victory in Salt Lake City since 1968. ... Utah's 5-1 start is its best since 2010 when the Utes won their first eight games. ... Utah kicker Andy Philips has hit seven of nine field goals from 40 or more yards out this season, and he's averaging 10.8 points per game. ... Utah's Kaelin Clay leads the nation with three punt returns for touchdowns. He ranks fourth with a 23.1-yard return average.
