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The Utah Utes have worked hard to make sure they have the urgency necessary to play at their best in recent games after a flat performance against Cal.
Finding motivation against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium shouldn't be a problem. The two teams have more subplots and motivators than any other matchup for the Utes this year outside of their rivalry game with BYU.
Need a rallying cry? Pick one.
Utah and UCLA enter the game on their first winning streaks of the year. The Bruins are in the hunt for the Pac-12 South title, while the Utes need one win to be bowl eligible. UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel needs a win to cool the hot seat upon which he is perched and Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow, whether he'll admit it or not, would very much enjoy a win against his former employer.
In a game that has so many angles, the Utes are keeping their focus simple — win to keep their winning streak going. It would be nice, of course, to clinch bowl eligibility, too.
"That is big for us," Utah receiver Dres Anderson said. "We want to win out, so every game is big right now."
The Utes, who have gone to eight straight bowls, acknowledge their 0-4 start in conference play was humbling to them. And it gives them a new appreciation for a winning streak — even if it is just two games.
"This team isn't used to losing," Ute defensive lineman Dave Kruger said. "That hit us in the face and now that we're back on track, we want to stay that way. We know how it feels to lose, and nobody on this team likes to lose."
UCLA has its own appreciation for the pain of losing. However, the Bruins are playing for more than a bowl berth. Thanks to their win over Arizona State, the Bruins are in position to represent the South in the Pac-12 championship game. The Bruins hold the tie-breaker over Arizona State, which they beat last week, and USC is ineligible for the postseason.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said the Bruins, like his own team, are playing with a new level of confidence that will make them difficult to beat.
"They are starting to believe, and they play hard," he said. "They have a good momentum thing going right now."
For the Utes, their plan for beating the Bruins is the same as it has been for the past two games: take care of the ball, hammer the defense with running back John White and throw just enough to keep the defense guessing.
"We know they are a good team," Utah quarterback Jon Hays said. "We respect what they do, and they have athletes all over the field. But we do, too."
The added twist in the game for the Utes is the addition of former UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow on the Utes' staff.
While Whittingham said Chow's presence won't give the Utes any added advantage, Neuheisel acknowledged it makes for a more meaningful game.
"I don't know if it will have any extra oomph for him, but everybody who competes likes to whip the people who they work with and we understand that," Neuheisel said. "At the end of the day, we'll go back to being pals."
UCLA tight end Joseph Fauria used his Twitter page to take a shot at Chow in August, saying "Dear Chow, I'm so glad you're gone. Can't wait to beat that [butt] Nov 12! Enjoy that big check! You don't deserve any of it."
While that declaration might rankle some fans, Utah offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom said the players weren't getting into any trash talk.
"We have loyalty to coach Chow, but I want to win this game for the guys I play with. We want to end this season as well as we can."
In a game with plenty of plots, winning for that simple goal is enough.
Twitter: @LyaWodraska —
Utah vs. UCLA
P Kickoff • 4:30 p.m. MST
TV • KJZZ
Radio • 700 AM
Records • Utah 5-4, 2-4; UCLA 5-4, 4-2
Series history • UCLA leads, 8-1
Last meeting • Utah, 44-6 (Sept. 15, 2007)
About the Utes • The Utes can clinch bowl eligibility with a win today. ... Utah has qualified for eight straight bowls. ... Utah receiver Dres Anderson's father, "Flipper" Anderson, lettered at UCLA from 1984-87. ... Tickets remain on sale for the game. ... The Utes are second in the league in scoring defense (20.67).
About the Bruins • UCLA is averaging 30 points in its past two wins. ... The Bruins have won three of their past four games after starting the season losing three of their first five. ... The Bruins average 190.89 rushing yards a game and just 196.22 passing yards a game. ... Nelson Rosario leads the team, averaging 85 receiving yards a game. ... Coach Rick Neuheisel is 20-25 in his four years with the Bruins.