Utah 2026 · Game prep sheet · October 28, 2026

Slade Nagle

Houston · Big 12 · 1,795 plays tracked

Efficiency

24th of 27

among the FBS OCs we track

Biggest run/pass imbalances

3rd & Longpasses 77%

Red zone (11–20 yds)runs 64%

After Big Gainruns 61%

After Sackpasses 59%

When Trailing Bigpasses 57%

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 56%Utah D (2020–25): opponents run 45% vs Utah

3rd & Long

Their OC: passes 77%, 30% success rateUtah D (2020–25): opponents pass 80% vs Utah

Red zone (11–20 yds)

Their OC: runs 64%Utah D (2020–25): opponents run 49% vs Utah

Score: Trailing

Their OC: passes 57% when trailingUtah D (2020–25): opponents pass 58% when trailing

After Big Play

Their OC: runs 61% after big gainUtah D (2020–25): opponents run 49% after big gain

2-Min Drill

Their OC: passes 48% in 2-minUtah D (2020–25): opponents pass 60% in 2-min

Ranking among the FBS OCs we track (descriptive)

Efficiency (EPA/play)24th of 27

Inside the 20 (EPA/play)19th of 23

3rd-down success16th of 25

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

Situational tendencies

Red Zone

44% success64% runn=150

3rd & Long

30% success77% passn=105

2-Min Drill

42% success52% runn=208

After Big Gain

55% success61% runn=194

When Trailing Big

49% success57% passn=251

Drive Opener (Own Territory)

56% success64% runn=286

Goal Line

49% success63% runn=156

Advanced intel

Tempo (avg pace)28.2s avg

Explosive plays5.4% rush / 18.4% pass

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

Run-first offense

56% run rate over 1,795 plays (2020–2025).

3rd & Long: throws it

77% pass — 33pp more pass-oriented than the 44% career average (105 plays).

After a Sack: throws it

59% pass — 15pp more pass-oriented than the 44% career average (41 plays).

Down Big: throws it

57% pass — 13pp more pass-oriented than the 44% career average (251 plays).

Full profile →Matchup page →Utah vs Houston Defense →