Written by Mike Schmitz. This update comes to you from the scene of Pac-12 Media Days.
Utah Football Finally Tested As Member Of Pac-12 Conference
LOS ANGELES -- For years, Utah has played the role of BCS buster. Along with TCU and Boise State, the Utes represented the enigma that is the BCS system. Was Utah a great team with its potential masked by the weak competition in the Mountain West? Or were the Utes annually overrated because of their cake-walk schedule? With Utah finally joining a BCS conference in the revamped Pac-12 and facing stiff competition on a weekly basis, the college football world is set to find out its true identity.
“Week in and week out we’re fully aware we need to bring our A-game,” said head coach Kyle Whittingham. “We’ve faired fairly well over the last 8 to 10 years playing against the BCS schools on a sporadic basis. But as you mentioned playing week in and week out is something that we’ve got to be ready for.”
Whittingham noted at Pac-12 media day that Utah as a program has won more games against BCS teams than any non-BCS school in the country. The Utes also have the best bowl record (12-4) of any team with over 10 bowl appearances. But as Whittingham also mentioned, the impressive wins are going to have to come on a weekly basis. Fortunately for the Utes, they dodge both Oregon and Stanford this season, but with the depth and parity of the Pac-12, Utah will still be tested more than ever before.
According to offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom, a step up in competition is what the players want. In the Pac-12 they no longer have to let a computer control their fate. Undefeated seasons can't go unrewarded, and success will surely be noticed in the Pac-12. "You kind of look at it as sort of a payoff for all the hard work you've put in," Bergstron said. "We feel like we've done well and had a lot of success. We've worked hard and feel like we work as hard as anyone in the country, so this is kind of our payoff for that, like I said."
Utah’s elevated competition comes early and often as its first first Pac-12 conference (and divisional) game comes against USC at the Colesseum on Sept. 10. Whittingham called it “baptism by fire.”
Utah is also in the midst of an identity change. Norm Chow is implementing a pro-style offense that Jordan Wynn will run and the weekly competition will be greater than ever. Utah was picked by the media to finish third in the Pac-12 South right behind USC and ASU, respectively. But even if Utah can't find success right away, its setting itself up for a bright future for years to come. With joining the Pac-12 comes a boost in west coast recruiting, and Whittingham's already reaped the benefits.
“We’ve had a big spike in recruiting. For example, the announcement was made back in June a year ago, within ten days after the announcement we had several verbal commits. Many of which those players would not have been able to get in on without BCS Conference affiliation,” Whittingham said. “So the recruiting on -- the impact of recruiting was felt right away, and has carried over into this past recruiting season.”
Utah is no longer one of the odd teams out. The Utes no longer have to be seen as the BCS buster or a squad with an undeserving undefeated record. Utah is finally where it belongs, and if its success and pedigree carries over, this will be seen as a perfect fit that should have happened years ago.
“It’s something that’s been talked about in Salt Lake City for a lot of years, even back when it was the Pac-8, going that far back,” Whittingham said. “So it’s something that’s very exciting for the university, for the community, and big challenges lie ahead.”
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