Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BURBANK, Calif. — Five years after accepting an invitation to join the Pac-12, Utah isn't shying away from high expectations at conference media days.
The Utes believe they should be considered for bigger things than being picked to finish fifth in the Pac-12 South.
"We've been in the league for five years now, and I think our time has come to be looked at as a real contender in this conference," Utah linebacker Jared Norris said. "We don't ever look at it like we are underdogs. We have just as good of talent, and our guys are tough guys. That's something you have to be when you play Utah football."
Behind senior running back Devontae Booker, the Utes hope to change a few minds after winning their first postseason bowl in four years.
"They gave us no props," Booker said. "We went 9-4 last year, and we just have to continue to work hard and fight hard, work our butts off. The polls gave us fifth in the South now, and that was the same as last year. With us continuing to win games, we'll be higher than what we were last year."
Other teams in the league have taken notice of Utah, and especially Booker, whom opposing Pac-12 players and coaches called "a bull," a "stud" and "one of the best players in college football."
They gave us no props. We went 9-4 last year, and we just have to continue to work hard and fight hard, work our butts off. The polls gave us fifth in the South now, and that was the same as last year. With us continuing to win games, we'll be higher than what we were last year.
–Utah running back Devontae Booker
Head coach Kyle Whittingham pointed to the Utes' preseason ranking as more a symbol of the depth of the league.
"It's just so competitive every week," Whittingham said. "You've got to be ready to play every week. At the end of the year, five of the six teams (in the Pac-12 South) were in the top 25. We'll see what happens."
The Utes also took their turn crushing a pinata and dressing up for Pac-12 media days, which you can see in the video above.
But after this weekend, it will be back to work.
