Weber State football is still ranked No. 5 and is hosting the second of three opponents in a run of highly ranked matchups when No. 11 Montana comes to Ogden on Saturday.

We solicited the help of Montana beat writer Lucas Semb of The Missoulian and 406mtsports.com to learn more about the Griz from someone who watches them each week.

Below are five questions and Semb’s answers to help preview the game.

1. What’s the latest on QB Lucas Johnson? He left the game at Sac State after a hit to the head on a targeting play. And if he can’t go, what can UM do to open things up a bit more for Kris Brown?

Semb: Unfortunately, Bobby Hauck won’t ever talk about injuries so local media doesn’t get status updates on players as the week moves along. We’ll just have to keep an eye on warm ups Saturday to see who is or isn’t playing. The Griz also lost starters on Saturday in defensive lineman DeAri Todd and wide receiver Junior Bergen.

If Johnson is unable to go, they need to get Brown on the move. To me, he projects as more of a run-first guy. He has a big arm that can definitely connect with his target, but he’s better using that while rolling out than in the pocket. He started 0 for 6 against Sac State but once he started using his legs, he began to settle in.

2. I’ve seen talk of special teams problems, what is it exactly that has been plaguing the Griz where it has become a point of discussion?

Semb: Against Idaho in Week 7, the Vandals opened the second half by recovering an onside kick​​ and stealing possession. In Week 8, the Hornets sparked a game-tying drive by squib kicking and recovering.

Not only that, but the Hornets also deflected a pair of field goal attempts. They just haven’t been crisp, or seemingly prepared, on that front. Although little mistakes, they’ve been adding up and costing them in important games.

3. This looks like a typical Montana defense with two guys up the middle who fly around and rack up tackles. What might be this defense’s weakness, if you had to choose?

Semb: You nailed it with the fact that their defense is high-energy. This linebacking unit is one of the best I’ve ever seen in getting helmets on the ball. The secondary is led by Justin Ford, an All-American corner last season and the program’s all-time leading tackler, safety Robby Hauck. They have plenty of playmakers, but where they’ve been exposed most recently was in intermediate routes.

When Idaho came to Missoula, they had guys running quick slants or short out-routes and QB Gevani McCoy was getting the ball out and letting them do the rest. He completed 21 of 27 passes because the Griz couldn’t cover up the 5-10 yard range. They’re good in the backfield, they’re good in deep coverage, but they could shore up their mid-range coverage.

4. Do you have a sense of Montana’s motivation and mentality for this game? At 5-2, it’s been a good start but on the road for the second straight top-five road game, staring at the potential for three straight losses — and still with Montana State looming to end the season — the Griz still need to find some wins to ensure a playoff spot.

Semb: Motivation is very high because they understand what’s at stake. Assuming they take care of business at home versus Cal Poly and Eastern Washington, UM would finish 7-4 with losses to both Weber State and Montana State and have no good wins on their resume, making them a bubble team. They need to get one of these Top-5 wins on the road and they’ll be a lock for the playoffs.

One credit to Bobby Hauck is that he’s really good at leaving the past in the past and moving forward. His Griz-coached teams are now 15-6 all-time following a loss, which is pretty impressive. So that’s their mentality this week, as it is every week: go 1-0.

5. What’s going to be key for Montana to find a win in this game?

Semb: The Griz haven’t shown that they have anyone who can truly take over a game this season, but that might be by design. They have so many athletes and producers that they spread the ball out a lot. But I think that needs to change for them to turn things around.

Whether it be one receiver having a career game or one of the running backs scoring three times, they need someone to step up and take control. They need someone to own the game and set the tone and help them remember who they are. I think they’ll need a standout game from any particular offensive threat to beat Weber.

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