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SALT LAKE CITY — It comes as no surprise to the Utah football team that few in the country, let alone the Pac-12, view the program in the same light as in years past when then-head coach Urban Meyer and later Kyle Whittingham stunned the country with two undefeated seasons in a four-year period.
Now, as a member of a Power Five conference, Utah is looking for some credibility and consistency following back-to-back losing seasons. The program thought it was on the right track last season after it shocked No. 5 Stanford at home, but followed up the big win with a five-game losing streak and a sidelined starting quarterback.
With Utah preparing to take on Michigan Saturday, Utah has a chance on network television to reclaim some credibility on the field and maybe win over some on-the-fence fans.
“Obviously we want to prove our team throughout the whole season and not just this game,” quarterback Travis Wilson said. “We want to be able to change a lot of people’s minds about us and obviously our spot in the Pac-12. It’s all about staying consistent throughout the season and just taking care of each game, focusing on one game at a time.”
While a victory over Michigan is only a start, it would be Utah’s first major road victory since joining the Pac-12 and would be the start to a potentially improved season. Utah has lost only one game in non-conference play since joining the Pac-12 — a loss to Utah State in the 2012 season.
Related:
Brady Hoke 'nervous' for Utah's offensive talent
In a game that could define the season trajectory for both football programs, Michigan head coach Brady Hoke said he's "nervous" about Saturday's game against a seemingly high-powered Utah offense.Sustaining key injuries has certainly been a factor in Utah’s lackluster performance over the years, particularly on offense, but Utah must win some games against conference opponents for anyone to take note — with or without injuries. And with the offense showing strong performances in the first two weeks of play, the 2014 season may just be the year Utah improves its stock.
“Our expectations have been high since the beginning of the season,” running back Devontae Booker said. “This is a test for us as a program going forward. We’re looking to perform well out there and get the W as well.”
Utah ranks third in the country in scoring offense, averaging 57.5 points a game, and is fourth in passing efficiency. Much of that credit goes to a mature Wilson who is making more accurate, high-percentage throws. He also has a better sense of the defensive schemes and an improved offensive line that affords him the necessary protection.
But those stats come against an FCS opponent and a Mountain West Conference team that is a struggling to maintain its footing with a 0-3 start. That’s all the more reason Utah needs to perform well on the road at Michigan to validate its high-powered offense.
“After the disappointing season last year, I don’t expect anyone to think anything from us. So it’s our job to kinda change their minds this season,” Wilson said. “And I think we’ve been doing great the first couple of games — we’ve been efficient on offense. That’s something we’ve got to keep doing throughout the season and make sure we stay consistent.”
After the disappointing season last year, I don't expect anyone to think anything from us. So it's our job to kinda change their minds this season. And I think we've been doing great the first couple of games — we've been efficient on offense. That's something we've got to keep doing throughout the season and make sure we stay consistent.
–Travis Wilson
“For me I look at the whole season as a measuring stick. This is a big game, but this is what we want. We want to play those top teams and we want to start beating those top teams,” senior safety Brian Blechen said. “Michigan is a huge game, but the goal is to go in there and get that one done and then look at next week and play whoever’s next. The Pac-12 is full of good teams this year. It’s a big game, especially being the first road game, but it’s not the only game we’re looking at.”
Leading up to the game, both teams have preached the importance of winning the turnover battle. After last season’s inability to get multiple turnovers, and Wilson’s high interception rate, Whittingham has made the focus on getting turnovers priority No. 1. And that’s resonated with his players.
“I think the turnover margin is going to be huge this game,” Wilson said. “We on offense have got to make sure we hold onto the football and don’t turn it over. We’ve got to keep on making the easy throws, making catches and having ball security in the run game as well.”
“It’s really important,” Booker said, addressing the importance of holding onto the ball. “That determines a lot of games out there. If you can take care of the football you’ll most likely win the game. We can’t have any turnovers, really.”
For Michigan, which is currently ranked second from last in FBS in the turnover margin with -7 this season, ball security is of utmost importance.
“It’s something that we’ve got to improve on. We’ve got to do it quickly, obviously,” Michigan head coach Brady Hoke stressed in a conference call with media earlier in the week. “We haven’t done a good enough job generating opportunities and generating turnovers.”
For either program, a win would be a stepping stone’s move in the right direction toward proving to their respective conferences that they can compete and should be taken seriously.
