SALT LAKE CITY — Sometimes in sports and in life we complicate things. Usually the secret of success comes down to something very simple.

There is a time-honored saying in football that goes something like: run the football and play great defense and success will usually follow. That has been the formula that Kyle Whittingham and Utah football have used since the calendar turned from September to October; and as a result, they haven't lost a football game in a month.

Utah completed the sweep of the Los Angeles schools on Friday night with a 41-10 win over the UCLA Bruins, who were helpless against the "bully-ball" Utah played at the line of scrimmage. For the second time in the last eight seasons of Pac 12 play, Utah rushed for more than 300 yards and absolutely dominated the football game. The only other 300-yard performance for Utah was also against UCLA, 2 years ago with 360 yards on the ground.

The combination of the dominant ground attack and a solid pass game are a combo that's led to 40 points in four straight games — a streak that hasn't been seen with the Utes since 2004, when Urban Meyer's guys did it six straight weeks.

Utah is playing the best football of anyone in the Pac-12 right now, and the best part of it is that the formula isn't reliant on trick plays or deception; it's simple physical football and great speed, both of which Utah has in great supply.

If Utah keeps its focus, there is a good chance they could be back in the same building they won on Friday night on January 1.

Zack Moss

Utah's best weapon has always been its junior running back Zack Moss. There was a short period, which seems like an eternity ago now, where it seemed Utah forgot about No. 2. That time is no longer as Utah's offense has found its identity and Moss is at the heart of it.

Moss showed on Friday night exactly why he is and should be Utah's first option on offense. He went for a career night against the Bruins, as Utah running backs tend to do in recent years. Moss ran for 211 yards on 26 carries, good for 8.1 yards per touch, and also added three touchdowns. Moss currently sits eighth on Utah's all-time rushing list, just 42 yards behind John White for seventh on the list. Moss will also likely eclipse the 1000-yard barrier for a second-straight season next weekend in Tempe. He needs 36 yards to hit that mark.

Utah's defense Is elite

As good as Utah's offensive unit has been for the last month, the Utah defense has been even better over that stretch, and really for the entire season. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has built an absolute monster of a defense that has no real weakness. Its combination of size, speed and physicality is not just the best in the Pac-12, but in my opinion, one of the nation's elite defensive units.

Friday night against an out-manned UCLA offense, the Utah defense, once again, showed why it's among the nations best. For a second consecutive week Utah held an opponent under 300 total yards of offense — 290 for the Bruins. UCLA running back Joshua Kelley had four consecutive 100-yard rushing games heading into the Utah game, but he was held under that mark with just 90. In addition, the Utes forced a pair of interceptions that killed Bruin drives, both by linebackers (Cody Barton and Francis Bernard).

The thing that makes this particular unit so unique is that it's nearly impossible to identify which area of the defense is the best. All three levels are eite. On Friday night, it was the linebackers who led the way. Chase Hansen, Barton, Donavan Thompson and Bernard combined for 15 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions.

If Scalley's group played in the SEC or Big Ten the praise from the national media would be never ending. The defense has been built for both speed and physical play at the line of scrimmage, which is exactly what the Alabama's and Michigan's do. Utah's offense is drawing a ton of attention right now, and rightfully so, but much of that has to do with the fact, historically, it has had its struggles. Utah's defense is always expected to be good, that's just how Kyle Whittingham has built his program. However, this particular group is elite and might just be the best that Whittingham has had at Utah.

Utah by the numbers

In rolling up 470 yards of total offense against UCLA, Utah spread the wealth and football around very well. Utah had eight different players rush the football and eight different players catch passes on Friday night.

Leading 17-7 at the half, Utah wanted to come out and exert its will against UCLA in the second half. The Utes had four second-half drives, and did just that:

• 9 plays, 75 yards, touchdown
• 4 plays 32 yards, touchdown
• 9 plays, 75 yards, touchdown
• 10 plays 53 yards, end of game

Utah Linebacker Francis Bernard made his first big play as a Ute Friday. Bernard played the fourth quarter for Hansen and picked off Wilton Speight in the end zone for his first interception with the Utes, keeping the Bruins from scoring late.

Fans have wondered why they haven't seen more of Bernard this season. It has nothing to do with his play and everything to do with the play of Barton and Hansen. Bernard will likely slide into a starting linebacker spot for Utah next season.

Game balls

Zack Moss - The heart of the Utah's offense had his best night as a Ute, rolling up 211 yards and three touchdowns. His quiet leadership and straight forward approach can't be undersold with this team too.

Cody Barton - Barton was everywhere on Friday night. Stopping the run (seven tackles), playing the pass (an interception and pass breakup) and just being present. Hansen has gotten a ton of attention this season, and rightfully so, but Barton's play has been nearly equal and steady all season long too.

Utah's offensive line - After a bit of a slow start to the season, Jim Harding's group has found its footing now. This marks five straight weeks of good to very good play by the OBLOCK. They have always been a good run blocking group, but on Friday night they did an excellent job of keeping Bruins off their quarterback.

Next Up

Utah travels to Tempe next Saturday afternoon for a matchup with Herm Edwards and the Arizona State Sun Devils. It's a rare afternoon game, with kickoff at 2 p.m. MT. ASU is led by senior QB Manny Wilkins, the Pac-12's best wide receiver N'Keal Harry and running back Eno Benjamin.

You can catch me and my broadcast crew, Scott Mitchell and Tom Hackett, from Sun Devil Stadium next Saturday on ESPN 700 at 2pm.

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