The U football team (1-0) is heading to College Station, and it faces brutal odds against a tough Texas A&M squad.
But, like the Utes, the Aggies are also going through a transitional phase with a new coach.
After R.C. Slocumb was fired last season, Dennis Franchione took over and has had to go through the same kinds of problems and growing pains the Utes are going through.
“Like us, the Aggies have to go through their lumps as well and we have to take advantage of that,” U safety Morgan Scalley said.
Last week the Aggies were not very impressive, as they defeated lowly Arkansas State 26-11 at Kyle Field.
The Ute defense has its hands full, and will likely be the key in the game.
A two-quarterback system is in place at College Station, with junior Dustin Long and sophomore Reggie McNeal running the show.
Last week McNeal made the second start of his career and is one of the fastest quarterbacks in the nation.
“It’s tough to worry about that type of speed when you are playing defense,” Scalley said.
“When you are in the secondary, you don’t want to worry about coming up and tackling the quarterback.”
McNeal is best known for his second-half play against top ranked Oklahoma last year, when he led his team to a win at Kyle Field.
Last week, McNeal threw the ball six more times than Long and will probably start again this week.
But some of the Utes that are on the team have already played against faster quarterbacks.
“A couple of years ago we played Antwaan Randle El and he was something else,” Scalley said.
But Randle El did not have the talent around him that McNeal and Long do.
At running back, the Aggies had Courtney Lewis taking most of the carries last week, as he rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
Derek Farmer is listed as the starting running back, but played a limited role last week. He was the leading rusher for the team last season with 739 yards.
Jamaar Taylor leads the wide receiving corps. Last week he caught five balls for 52 yards.
For U coach Urban Meyer, the problem is not matching up with the starters.
“In college football, the difference between the No. 1s on one team and the No. 1s on another teams is only a little,” Meyer said. “It’s the difference between the No. 2s that makes the difference. We need depth in order to perform well.”
The Utes do have depth problems this week, and will have to deal with the humidity in Texas as well.
Utah will be without defensive end Jason Kaufusi and may be missing running back Marty Johnson for a second-straight week.
Offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu, middle linebacker Zach Tune and tight end Matt Hansen will be back to add some much-needed depth.
On offense, the Utes will rely on their running game, which was their bread and butter last week, when Brandon Warfield rushed for 173 yards.
“We usually shoot for 200 yards,” U offensive tackle Thomas Herrion said. “Brandon is our energy and when he is out there running, we get pumped up when he is flying out there.”
Warfield will have to go through a tougher defensive line this week, which may put more emphasis on the passing game.
Brett Elliott will start at quarterback again, while Alex Smith will back him up and see some playing time again.
Last week Texas A&M allowed just 81 yards rushing and 94 yards passing and will try to hold the Utes to similar numbers.
But the Utes are much more talented than Arkansas State, and are very confident that they can come out with another win.
“If you play at 100 percent in all aspects of the game, then that is the way you win,” Herrion said. “I promise you we will play at 100 percent this week.”
Even with the tough odds, Elliott knows there is always a chance: “Like coach Meyer said, why not us, why not now?”
