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Colorado Springs, Colo. • There is no more talk of resisting the temptation to look ahead, of taking a doormat of an opponent as seriously as a league contender, or saying how tough a winless team can be.
Finally, for the Utah Utes, the real season begins.
Saturday's game here against Air Force (5-3, 3-2 Mountain West Conference) marks the stretch run for the No. 8 Utes (7-0, 4-0). Ranked as high as they've ever been at this point in the year, the Utes could easily join the mass of teams whose big-bowl dreams have been crushed.
On Saturday, Utah faces Air Force, the only MWC team that has a winning edge in the series against the Utes, then hosts No. 4 TCU next week. After that showdown, Utah travels to hallowed ground to play Notre Dame, then heads west the next week to take on San Diego State, which is having one of its best seasons in recent years.
The Utes wrap up the season at home against rival BYU on Nov. 27.
By then, the Utes could either be celebrating another trip to the BCS or busted themselves.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham deviated from his one-game-at-a-time focus enough to acknowledge the Utes have a "tough stretch ahead." But that statement is about as much as he'd look past the Falcons.
However, it's evident from the way the Utes have responded recently that they are mindful this part of the schedule has been lying in wait for them — ready to mug them and steal their dreams of leaving the MWC with one last title.
The Utes took Monday off before playing against CSU, then pulled the starters even earlier against the Rams than they did in past blowouts, with Whittingham admitting he wanted his team to get some rest.
In contrast, practice was more difficult and had more of an edge to it this week, as the Utes amped up for Air Force, said defensive lineman Sealver Siliga.
"We're feeling good, and we have a lot of confidence," he said. "We know they are tough, but we are excited to play these guys."
Utah has scored 50-plus points in four of its past five games, exhibiting a dominance that might not make for dramatic TV but has allowed the Utes to rest key players and get backups some crucial experience.
Now they hope the depth they have manufactured can help them survive the rigorous upcoming schedule.
Their confidence is high, too, but not so much that they have a false sense of security. They've learned what can happen when they let down their guard and have no intention of doing so now, the players say.
"It's going to be a challenge," receiver Luke Matthews said. "But we look at every week as a challenge. You have to be impressive every week, or you are going to get beat."
While they maintain their focus is on each game, the Utes are aware of what is at stake. Boise State and TCU have gotten plenty of attention as possible BCS busters. The Utes, winners of two BCS bowls, have, at best, been described as the third candidate from a non-BCS conference that could go to a BCS bowl. At worst, they've been described as a convenient opponent for TCU, so the Horned Frogs could pick up some points for their strength of schedule. It's as if the Utes are only capable of being leapfrogged, not of playing top-five-quality, smashmouth football. But instead of getting jumped, the Utes plan to show their worth, starting Saturday. They know of the challenges ahead, and they are ready for them.
"Air Force is always one of our key games," defensive lineman Christian Cox said. "We know how tough they are and how close the games can be. We don't want to keep it close."
No. 8 Utah at Air Force
P At Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Kickoff • 5:30 p.m. TV • CBS College. Radio • 700 AM
Records • Utah (7-0, 4-0); Air Force (5-3, 3-2)
Series history • Air Force leads 14-12
Last meeting • Utah, 23-16, OT (Oct. 24, 2009)
About the Utes • Utah's defense is ranked sixth nationally, giving up just 87.4 yards a game, while the offense ranks third, averaging 47.7 points a game.
About the Falcons • Only MWC team to lead the series against the Utes. … They're on a two-game losing streak, with losses to SDSU and TCU. … They lost fullback Jared Tew, a Park City native, to a broken leg against the Aztecs. —
Utah's remaining schedule
Date Opponent Potential trap
Saturday at Air Force Falcons lead series 14-12.
Nov. 6 TCU Utes are 0-5 versus Top 5 teams in the regular season.
Nov. 13 Notre Dame Utah is 2-4-1 in nonconference games played Nov. 13.
Nov. 20 San Diego St. Utes have never won three in a row in San Diego.
Nov. 26 BYU Utes have lost three of the past four in the series.