Last Updated on September 15, 2009 7:06 pm by drew
Utah-Oregon Odds
Eugene,
Whether or not the Utes can extend the run again depends not only on their ability to make some much-needed improvements in their own play, but also on what kind of performance enigmatic Oregon can put together.
The 18th-ranked Utes look to keep their streak alive Saturday when they visit the Ducks, hoping to get back into the Top 25 by continuing their rebound from an inauspicious start.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made
Terrance Cain passed for 248 yards and connected with Jereme Brooks for a go-ahead 51-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and the Utes finally sealed the win when third-string tailback Sausan Shakerin ran deep into
"We’ve got our fair share of deficiencies to work on in practice," Whittingham said. "You name it, we’ve got to work on it for next week. … We’re miles away from having all the answers."
The Utes, hoping to make their third BCS bowl in six years, have matched the school’s winning streak from 1928-30. They trail only the 18 straight wins surrounding Utah’s undefeated run to a Fiesta Bowl victory with coach Urban Meyer and quarterback Alex Smith from 2003-05.
Whittingham, though, is less concerned with making team history than he is with handling a dangerous
"We don’t pay a lot of attention to (streaks)," the fifth-year coach said. "Each year is a new year, and we’ve got to get a lot better between now and Saturday if we want to even have a chance."
The Ducks (1-1) came into the season at No. 16 but fell out of the rankings after a 19-8 loss at then-No. 14
To make matters worse, running back LeGarrette Blount punched
After that dismal opener, Oregon bounced back to beat Purdue 38-36 last Saturday, totaling 356 yards and stopping the Boilermakers’ two-point conversion with 1:01 left.
"The taste never really goes away, but this absolutely helps. It feels great," said running back Kenjon Barner, who scored the Ducks’ last touchdown on a 21-yard run with 6:42 remaining.
Kelly was also encouraged by the performance.
"We have moved on from last week. I am very impressed with the effort and hard work all of these players have put forth," he said. "The offense was better this week. We ran the ball, and got a couple of first downs. It’s all about the rhythm, and once we get going the only people who can stop us are ourselves."
"We will just have to come out, focus and prepare and do what we gotta do," Barner said.
The Ducks have a 17-8 advantage in the series, including 9-4 in
Posted: 9/15/09 7:06PM ET