Storylines: Bowl game depends on Ute seniors' last home game


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SALT LAKE CITY — The 2015 regular season is coming to a close, but rest assured that this weekend won't be the last time the Utes will play this season.

The Utes will play the team from across the Rockies Saturday in the season's last home game. A win against Colorado will improve Utah's bowl standings where a loss could send the team to a less desired bowl game.

Here are storylines heading into the matchup.

Senior sendoff

For the last time at Rice-Eccles Stadium, 19 players will compete as student-athletes.

"We've progressed with them these last five years and we will miss them. They are a great group of guys," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said of the primary group to enter the Pac-12.

The senior class includes Siaosi Aiono, Andrew Albers, Devontae Booker, Tevin Carter, Ahmad Christian, Jason Fanaika, Viliseni Fauonuku, Andrew Fletcher, Damian Greene, Tom Hackett, Jon Halliday, Jared Norris, Gionni Paul, Bubba Poole, Kenneth Scott, Kendal Thompson, Chris Van Orden, Jason Whittingham and Travis Wilson. Seniors Evan Moeai and Tim Patrick plan to apply for medical hardship extensions after suffering season-ending injuries. A pre-game ceremony will honor the upper classmen.

"These departing seniors have a lot of leadership and have played a lot of good football for us. I want to thank them for their efforts and contributions," said Whittingham.

The University of Utah encourages fans to be in their seats early for a pre-game ceremony honoring the seniors.

"A lot of these guys have been here five or six years and the devotion and effort, everything they've poured into this program is appreciated, and it's a way to send them off the right way," Whittingham added.

Going bowling

We've known for a while that the Utes were going bowling this postseason. But finding where they will play has been a whirlwind. Before last week, it was plausible Utah could appear in its first Pac-12 Championship. A loss to UCLA shattered those dreams and now the Utes' fate rests in the result of their matchup against Colorado.

The Conference of Champions is affiliated with seven bowl games this season — the Rose Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Foster Farms Bowl, Sun Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl and Cactus Bowl. Currently, nine Pac-12 teams are bowl eligible. Washington can become the 10th if it defeats Washington State in the Apple Cup this weekend.

Whittingham holds an 8-1 bowl record and is tied for the best bowl win percentage in NCAA FBS history — 88.9 percent — with former USC coach John Robinson.

Familiar foes

Utah's longest history against a Pac-12 opponent is with Colorado. Besides four seasons, the teams played annually from 1903-62. The rivalry slumbered for 49 years until it resumed in 2011. The Buffs hold the Rumble in the Rockies lead 31-27-3, although the Utes have a 15-14-2 advantage in Salt Lake City and have won three straight.

Last season, Utah escaped Boulder with a 34-31 win. Trailing 31-34, cornerback Dominique Hatfield intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards for the winning touchdown.

When asked about Colorado's season, Whittingham acknowledged the coaching, saying, "They're well coached and play with great effort."

Saturday's game will begin at 12:20 p.m. MST and will air on the Pac-12 Network. Commentators will include Ted Robinson, Glenn Parker and Jill Savage.

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