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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah had a full week off to consider some pretty simple math.
With three games remaining, the Utes need to win one to become eligible for a bowl. Winning two of three would make the chances a little more realistic and sweeping all three would completely change what has been a disappointing season.
"Our goal right now is to get six" wins coach Kyle Whittingham said.
The Utes (5-4, 3-2 MWC) host Colorado State (4-5, 1-4) on Saturday. Both teams aren't close to where they hoped they'd be two months ago.
Utah hasn't played since beating UNLV 45-23 on Oct. 28, ending a two-game losing streak. Whittingham gave the Utes three days off last week to rest up for the final stretch.
The Utes have the Rams on Saturday, visit Air Force next week and host rival Brigham Young in the regular season finale Nov. 25.
Whittingham "just wanted to give every opportunity for us to win out and have a good season," cornerback Eric Weddle said. "And I think he's done that. He's done everything in his power to do so. We're peaking at the right time."
If the Utes manage to go 3-0 the rest of the way, they will finish with a 6-2 record in the Mountain West Conference. That could be good enough to share the title, but only if BYU loses twice.
The Rams have lost four straight and have only two more chances to end the skid after visiting the Utes. CSU is off next week, hosts TCU on Nov. 25 and visits San Diego State on December second.
The Rams need to go 2-1 during the final stretch to be even eligible for a bowl. Coach Sonny Lubick said the Rams are trying to remain positive.
After losing to New Mexico on a last-second field goal, the Rams hosted MWC-leader Brigham Young last week. BYU won 24-3 and hasn't lost a league game this season.
"I don't see anything going downhill. Other teams we have played are pretty good," Lubick said.
Colorado State has scored just 22 points over the last three games and has struggled to run the ball since losing running back Kyle Bell to a knee injury before the season.
The Rams are averaging 69 rushing yards per game.
"That is the easy thing to look at," Lubick said. "One thing has compounded the other. A lot of teams in the country aren't rushing the ball, but they still move it in some other ways."
The Utes will be playing without offensive lineman Jason Boone, who was suspended indefinitely by Whittingham for an undisclosed rules violation.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-11-10-06 1755MST
