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LOS ANGELES - The average college football team making the move from a non-BCS conference like the Mountain West to a BCS conference with a storied tradition like the Pac-12 might find it difficult to earn immediate respect from their peers. But Utah is anything but average.
- Won 2003 Orange Bowl
- Won 2004 Rose Bowl
- Won 2007 Rose Bowl
- Won 2008 Rose Bowl
- Won 2009 Rose Bowl
- Won 2002 Fiesta Bowl
- Lost 2010 Rose Bowl
- Lost 2011 BCS National Championship
- Won 2005 Fiesta Bowl
- Won 2009 Sugar Bowl
- Lost 2000 Rose Bowl
- Won 2011 Orange Bowl
- Won 2001 Fiesta Bowl
- Won 2001 Rose Bowl
- Lost 2002 Fiesta Bowl
- Lost 1999 Rose Bowl
- Lost 2003 Rose Bowl
The Utes have enjoyed tremendous success in the past decade highlighted by their two undefeated seasons and BCS bowl wins. The members of their new conference are well aware of their achievements.
"They are one of the top football programs in the country," says Oregon coach Chip Kelly whose team played for a BCS national championship last January. "They've proven their mettle. They proved their mettle when they beat Alabama. I think they are going to hit the ground running."
When you consider BCS bowl wins its easy to see why so many Pac-12 players and coaches have so much respect for Utah. The Utes have what they want. Only USC and Oregon have more BCS bowl appearances and only the Trojans have more BCS Bowl wins.
"Utah has built themselves into a national power over the last decade and I see it as a great fit," says UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel.
Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian is familiar with Utah football from his days at BYU in the mid-90's. He also believes the Utes will find success early in their new conference home.
"It sometimes gets missed the history and tradition that Utah has in football is a lot greater than people think," says Sarkisian. "They're a hard-nosed football team and that's what it takes to win in this conference. You've got to be able to go toe-to-toe with people week in and week out and Utah will do that."
When the Utes open conference play in the Coliseum against USC on September 10th they won't be sneaking up on the Trojans.
"They've won a lot more games than us the last two years so we'll have our hands full," says USC Head Coach Lane Kiffin.
Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck might have been the top pick in the 2011 NFL draft had he not opted to stay in school. The Heisman trophy candidate developed a respect for the Utes years ago as a football fan watching them play on TV.
"I've always been impressed with how tough Utah seemed," says Luck. "I think from a players perspective you'd have to be somewhat of an idiot to overlook a team the caliber of Utah."
Arizona quarterback Nick Foles agrees.
"I expect them to be ready to go," he says. "I expect to see their best and I can't wait to play against them.
*Email: jjensen@ksl.com*Twitter: @JJSportsBeat
