Utah 2026 · Game prep sheet · November 9, 2026

Joel Gordon

Auburn · SEC · 1,805 plays tracked

Efficiency

11th of 27

among the FBS OCs we track

Biggest run/pass imbalances

3rd & Longpasses 75%

When Trailing Bigpasses 65%

Red zone (11–20 yds)runs 58%

2-Minute Drillpasses 57%

After Big Gainruns 56%

Utah defense matchup: Scalley-era proxy (2020–25)

Utah's 2026 defense is called by first-year DC Colton Swan (linebackers coach in this system, 2019–25). We have no play-calling history for him, so this compares against what offenses ran on Morgan Scalley's defenses, side by side with no verdict. Descriptive, not a tested prediction.

Overall Run/Pass

Their OC: runs 51%Utah D (2020–25): opponents run 45% vs Utah

3rd & Long

Their OC: passes 75%, 30% success rateUtah D (2020–25): opponents pass 80% vs Utah

Red zone (11–20 yds)

Their OC: runs 58%Utah D (2020–25): opponents run 49% vs Utah

Score: Trailing

Their OC: passes 65% when trailingUtah D (2020–25): opponents pass 58% when trailing

After Big Play

Their OC: runs 56% after big gainUtah D (2020–25): opponents run 49% after big gain

2-Min Drill

Their OC: passes 57% in 2-minUtah D (2020–25): opponents pass 60% in 2-min

Ranking among the FBS OCs we track (descriptive)

Efficiency (EPA/play)11th of 27

Inside the 20 (EPA/play)4th of 23

3rd-down success4th of 25

1st = best. 2020–2025 FBS data only; describes the past, not a tested prediction.

Situational tendencies

Red Zone

54% success58% runn=132

3rd & Long

30% success75% passn=81

2-Min Drill

52% success57% passn=251

After Big Gain

49% success56% runn=232

When Trailing Big

41% success65% passn=414

Drive Opener (Own Territory)

52% success52% runn=314

Goal Line

58% success76% runn=124

Advanced intel

Tempo (avg pace)22.2s avg

Explosive plays9.6% rush / 16.4% pass

Biggest splits vs his own average (descriptive, not a prediction)

Balanced attack

51% run / 49% pass over 1,805 plays (2020–2025).

3rd & Very Long: throws it

84% pass — 34pp more pass-oriented than the 49% career average (91 plays).

Goal Line: runs it

76% run — 25pp run-heavier than the 51% career average (124 plays).

Down Big: throws it

65% pass — 16pp more pass-oriented than the 49% career average (414 plays).

Full profile →Matchup page →Utah vs Auburn Defense →