This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Utes get back to work today preparing for an opponent that suddenly looks much tougher than it did a few weeks ago.
The Utes (4-0), who moved up to No. 10 in both The Associated Press and USA Today coaches' polls, play Saturday at Iowa State.
The Utes are 0-4 against the Cyclones, with all of the games being played in the 1970s.
While the Utes were off, Iowa State (3-2) thumped Texas Tech 52-38 Saturday.
The game was a wild one for the Cyclones; they lost a 24-0 lead when Texas Tech tied the game. A fumble recovery helped Iowa State pull ahead in the fourth quarter, a period in which the teams combined for 42 points.
Iowa State quarterback Austen Arnaud threw a career-high four touchdown passes for the Cyclones, who set a school record for the most points scored in a Big 12 game.
In addition to Arnaud, the Cyclones used two backs with success. Alexander Robinson finished with 103 yards on 12 carries and freshman Shontrelle Johnson had 102 yards on 12 carries, marking the first time the Cyclones have had two 100-yard rushers in a game since the 2004 Independence Bowl.
While Iowa State's versatility will give the Utes plenty to worry about, Utah should at least benefit from the extra time it had to get ready.
The Utes are 5-0 under coach Kyle Whittingham in games following byes and are 15-2 when his team has had more than one week to prepare.
The bye week did nothing to hurt the Utes in the rankings, either. Utah benefited from losses by teams previously ranked ahead of it. It is the first time since the 2008 season the Utes have cracked the top 10. That season the Utes reached No. 10 in the AP poll and No. 9 in the coaches' poll in the Oct. 26 rankings after their 7-0 start.
The Utes finished No. 2 in the AP poll and No. 4 in the coaches' poll after their 31-17 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Breaking into the polls for the first time since 2002 is Air Force, which is No. 25 in the AP poll after its 14-6 win over Navy.
The Falcons' only loss was a 27-24 defeat at Oklahoma, which is ranked No. 6 in the AP poll and No. 7 in the coaches' poll.
Alabama, Ohio State and Oregon hold the top three spots in both polls while Boise State and TCU round out the Top 5.
Oregon moved ahead of Boise State after the Ducks defeated Stanford 52-31. Stanford fell from No. 9 to No. 16 after the loss.
Florida, which lost 31-6 to the top-ranked Tide, fell out of the Top 10 to No. 14 in the AP poll and to No. 12 in the coaches' poll to help make way for the Utes.
Texas and Penn State fell out of both polls following losses.
Twitter: @sltributes,
@lyawodraska —
Iowa State's results this year
Sept. 2 vs. Northern Illinois W, 27-10
Sept. 11 at Iowa L, 35-7
Sept. 18 vs. Kansas State L, 27-20
Sept. 25 vs. Northern Iowa W, 27-0
Oct. 2 vs. Texas Tech W, 52-38 —
Saturday's game
P No. 10 Utah (4-0) at Iowa State (3-2)
TV • Fox College Sports, 5 p.m. MDT —
AP Top 25 poll
Record Pts Pv
1. Alabama (58) 5-0 1,497 1
2. Ohio St. (1) 5-0 1,401 2
3. Oregon 5-0 1,379 4
4. Boise St. (1) 4-0 1,341 3
5. TCU 5-0 1,250 5
6. Oklahoma 5-0 1,183 8
7. Nebraska 4-0 1,172 6
8. Auburn 5-0 1,045 10
9. Arizona 4-0 898 14
10. Utah 4-0 860 13
11. Arkansas 3-1 825 15
12. LSU 5-0 819 12
13. Miami 3-1 769 16
14. Florida 4-1 681 7
15. Iowa 4-1 670 17
16. Stanford 4-1 663 9
17. Michigan St. 5-0 607 24
18. Michigan 5-0 555 19
19. South Carolina 3-1 450 20
20. Wisconsin 4-1 316 11
21. Nevada 5-0 286 25
22. Oklahoma St. 4-0 173 —
23. Florida St. 4-1 162 —
24. Missouri 4-0 99 —
25. Air Force 4-1 94 —
Others receiving votes • West Virginia 83, Kansas St. 69, Southern Cal 52, Texas 33, Northwestern 25, Oregon St. 12, Baylor 10, UCLA 8, Virginia Tech 8, N.C. State 4, Penn St. 1. —
USA Today Top 25 coaches' poll
Record Pts Pvs
1. Alabama (57) 5-0 1,449 1
2. Ohio State (1) 5-0 1,377 2
3. Oregon 5-0 1,300 4
4. Boise State 4-0 1,276 3
5. TCU 5-0 1,187 5
6. Nebraska 4-0 1,176 6
7. Oklahoma 5-0 1,132 8
8. Auburn 5-0 988 11
9. LSU 5-0 930 10
10. Utah 4-0 868 12
11. Arizona 4-0 835 14
12. Florida 4-1 705 7
13. Arkansas 3-1 683 15
14. Miami (Fla.) 3-1 679 17
15. Iowa 4-1 643 18
16. Michigan State 5-0 625 21
17. Michigan 5-0 541 19
18. Stanford 4-1 448 13
19. Wisconsin 4-1 414 9
20. South Carolina 3-1 345 22
21. Oklahoma State 4-0 299 24
22. Missouri 4-0 271 23
23. Nevada 5-0 201 25
24. Florida State 4-1 164 NR
25. Northwestern 5-0 67 NR
Others receiving votes • Texas 61, Air Force 44, West Virginia 40, Kansas State 31, Penn State 30, North Carolina State 13, Virginia Tech 10, Houston 8, Mississippi State 5, Oregon State 2, Baylor 1, Temple 1 UCLA 1.