As a senior, Utah linebacker Kepa Gaison has been around long enough to know exactly what is at stake for the Utes in the Poinsettia Bowl against Cal.

Even though Cal (8-4) is favored by a field goal, Gaison knows if the No. 23 Utes (9-3) lose, plenty of critics will seize the outcome as evidence Utah and possibly the Mountain West Conference as a whole can't stand up to BCS schools, never mind Utah's long list of victories against such opponents.

"The way all the analysts vote, if you have one bad game then all our accomplishments are tarnished," he said. "It shouldn't be that way, but it is. We've proven ourselves again and again and we have to keep proving it in every game and show people they're wrong."

In that respect the Utes acknowledge they probably have the most to lose in the bowl game since their wins and losses against the BCS schools are scrutinized so much.

If the Bears lose, they'll probably be given a pass for not having running back Jahvid Best on the field or for not being motivated after losing to Washington in the final regular-season game.

The Utes, though, know they have to win to continue to show they can handle the BCS competition. The best way they know how to do that is to make the most of the opportunities given in their bowl matchups.

"It's crucial because our conferences are so similar," receiver Jereme Brooks said of a Utah win. "They are BCS and we aren't and that adds a little more fire to us."

The Utes always talk about how they are a BCS-caliber team, but talking doesn't have the same effect as winning, which is why the Utes are rarely caught flat in big games against BCS teams.

"It could be another statement game for us and the conference," Gaison said. "We've proven we could play with anybody, but we're pushing toward the BCS and to get a shot against a Pac-10 team is a great opportunity."

Last year it seemed Alabama overlooked the Utes as Utah quickly jumped ahead of the Tide.

Cal coach Jeff Tedford said his team won't be caught off-guard by the Utes, partially because of that impressive win.

"The MWC is as strong a conference as there is," he said. "We have a lot of respect for them. Utah, BYU, TCU, those are great football teams. I don't know if we look at it as a rivalry since we don't play them that often, but when we do, we know they are going to be athletically sound in everything they do."

The one common opponent the Utes and Bears have is Oregon. The Ducks beat Utah 31-24 a week before thumping Cal 42-3.

Despite playing the Ducks closer, having a better record and ranking, Utah still is an underdog going into the bowl game.

The Utes feel such slights shows they still have something to prove and it motivates them when they are an underdogs, even when they believe they have the respect of their opponents.

"We've played a lot of talented teams and have given them a good game," linebacker Stevenson Sylvester said. "We know the Pac-10 respects us and the coaches and players and that is all that matters. The [critics] probably will never respect us no matter what we do."

lwodraska@sltrib.com