This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

During pregame walkthroughs and warmups on Saturday, Nate Orchard may just bring his camera with him.

He'll step out across the sidelines at the Big House, and he'll be looking for Bryan Mone and Sione Houma, two of his Highland High teammates who helped the Rams win a state championship in 2010.

There will be the pleasantries: exchanging old memories, and taking a few pictures. And then Orchard plans to let them feel just how tough it is to see him on the opposite sideline.

"At the end of the day, we're out there to do business, it's going to be a dogfight," the senior end and linebacker said. "After that, we can be friends."

Once upon a time, Mone, a defensive tackle, and Houma, a fullback, were Utah recruiting targets. Both liked the Utes growing up, but both were persuaded by Michigan coach Brady Hoke and his staff to migrate up to Ann Arbor and take a different route.

Houma spoke to the Tribune by phone on Tuesday, saying he's never really looked back.

"My family thought it would be best if I could get out of state and focus on football," Houma said. "I'm glad I made this decision. My team has become my family out here."

One of his closest "brothers" is Mone, who as a four-star recruit was one of the Wolverine's biggest additions in last year's signing class. Both have played in limited roles this year.

Utah senior guard Junior Salt knows Mone well: Salt's brother Sesi was friends with Mone growing up, and their families are close.

"Bryan Mone is a good kid, we've hung out a couple times," Salt said. "He's in the rotation, so he's a big kid and a big threat. He's doing big things out there, making his family here proud."

Of course, Salt is no stranger to lining up against friends and family. He's done it since he was eight. On the occasions when he goes head-to-head with Mone, he'll try to punish him as much as any other Wolverine lineman.

"My dad was always like, 'When it's time for a game, no more friends, no more families,'" he said. "'The only people that are on your side are the people wearing your jerseys.'"

Out-of-state recruiting has become a bigger threat to Utah and other in-state programs recently. More and more high-level prospects are choosing to take their talents to other schools: Michigan, Wisconsin, Stanford among them.

Salt sees this game as a chance to send a message to local high school players: You can stay here and still win.

"A lot of guys from my area in Glendale, they're noticing how our program is on the rise," he said. "So hopefully we can keep it up. There's a lot of guys talking about going out of state, but their families are here and it means more here."

Orchard finding his niche • Ever since Orchard started lining up as a linebacker against Fresno State, there's been a bit of buzz about the defensive captain taking on the mantle of Trevor Reilly, switching positions depending on the scheme.

It's a process, Orchard said, but one that has gone pretty well so far.

"I really used that bye week to transition into a different position," he said. "So it was really good. I think understand what I'm supposed to do, and having fun doing it."

The Utes consider Orchard's pass rush as his best trait, so he'll play as a down lineman. But considering his NFL future might be at outside linebacker - and also it just so happens the Utes are thin on linebackers - Utah wants to see what he can do.

Orchard was a receiver in high school, so he says the pass coverage instincts are there a bit. He's working on them still.

"It's good," he said. "It's going well. We've got a long season, so I'll get better from here."

Heavy metal offense • The Utah offense went indoors for their summery September practice, not to cool their heads but rather to blast their eardrums.

Riffs of Metallica and AC/DC were pumped into the Utes' indoor facility to give them a feel for playing in a sonically challenging environment. Although Michigan Stadium is not known for its volume - its open bowl design doesn't hold in noise as effectively as modern designs - the team wants to be prepared.

"We know it's going to be loud there, and that's the best way to simulate that," Kyle Whittingham said. "Get them inside, surround them with speakers and let them go at it."

With a higher tempo and fewer huddles, the Utes are betting that their new offense is better-equipped to handle rowdy crowds. Communication through gestures and signals will be critical as the team ventures into hostile territory for the first time. Whittingham wants that process to be down pat.

"I'm not sure the pace negates [the noise] as much as how you operate with your signals," he said.

Not worried about 2015 • The Pac-12 held scheduling Christmas early on Tuesday evening, announcing Utah's full slate of games for next year. It includes seven home games, and away games against ...

Wait, what's that? No? Too early?

It is for Whittingham, who claims he has not looked at the 2015 schedule at all. He wouldn't even give a quote on the schedule for the Utes' official release. For him, it's strict adherence to the "one game at a time" school of thought.

"I haven't even looked at it," Whittingham said, raising his hands to the air and smiling. "I don't even care about it."

Kyle Goonkgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon