The Horned Frogs are unbeaten and an upset or two involving one of the Big Three away from an improbable shot at a national championship game appearance.
The Utes, of course, were the darlings of college football in 2008, capping an unbeaten season by thumping Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. In fact, their performance led to yet another round of heavy criticism of the BcS system and congressional pressure.
Now, nearly a year later, the Utes sit at 8-1 and are feeling a bit disrespected.
The latest betting lines have Utah as anywhere from a 16- to 17-point underdog to the Horned Frogs. That spread has given the Utes some extra motivation, although head coach Kyle Whittingham won't come right out and say it.
"You can spin that any way you want," the coach said of the two-plus touchdown spread. "They deserve the respect they are getting now. But I'm sure we'll discuss that as a team.
"We're the defending champ. The championship trophy is in this building and somebody's got to take that away from us."
"That will be a motivation for the guys, definitely," defensive back Brandon Burton said. "Coach Whitt will probably bring it up in meetings."
