No. 20 Utah has cruised through its non-conference slate with convincing wins over UCLA and Cal Poly. Quarterback Devon Dampier has made the transition to Big 12 play look seamless and will look to keep the momentum rolling on Saturday, Sept. 13, against Wyoming. The Cowboys, also off to a 2-0 start, enter the matchup with wins over Akron and Northern Iowa.
The non-conference Week 3 matchup is set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. The Utes come into the battle as 23.5-point favorites, with the over/under placed at 48.5 total points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Devon Dampier (QB, Utah)
Dampier continues to lead a Utah program looking for its first bowl win since 2017, but at the pace he’s playing, that drought may soon be over. Through two games, the 5-foot-11 quarterback has thrown for 398 yards and accounted for six total touchdowns. On Saturday, he’ll face a Wyoming defense that has yet to be tested by a high-powered offense, giving Dampier a prime opportunity to make another statement. It’ll give Utah’s offense another valuable week to build chemistry before diving into the grind of Big 12 play.
Chris Durr Jr. (WR, Wyoming)
Wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. is a key piece of Wyoming’s offense, especially after his explosive performance last week of 190 yards and a touchdown on just eight receptions. Averaging 23.8 yards per catch, Durr is a true deep threat and could challenge Utah’s secondary with his big-play ability. If Wyoming hopes to keep pace with Utah’s offense, Durr will need to have another big day.
Two Key Storylines
Can Utah Establish Its Running Attack Early?
What makes Utah so difficult to defend isn’t just its success through the air; it’s Dampier’s dual-threat ability that keeps defenses guessing. With NaQuari Rodgers and Wayshawn Parker in the backfield, head coach Kyle Whittingham has the flexibility to utilize a variety of looks that stress opposing defenses. While Dampier has been elite as a passer, it’s the Utes’ versatile and punishing rushing attack that could ultimately carry them through the Big 12 gauntlet.
Wyoming’s Defense Faces First Real Test
After shutting out Akron and holding Northern Iowa to just seven points, Wyoming’s defense will face its first true Power Five test on Saturday. Not only does Utah feature multiple options in the ground game, but wide receiver Ryan Davis has also been instrumental in the Utes’ strong start. The Cowboys will need to stay disciplined and versatile defensively to contain a Utah offense that can attack in multiple ways and at multiple levels.
Prediction: Utah 31, Wyoming 17
It’s important to remember that this will be a challenging road test for Utah, as the Utes take on a confident Wyoming team riding the momentum of a 2-0 start. While things could stay competitive early, Utah’s offensive firepower should eventually prove too much. Look for Dampier to take control in the second half and lead the Utes to a 3-0 start. Still, this game could offer a valuable measuring stick for a Wyoming team looking to prove it can compete with Power Five competition.
