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The Utes didn't even have to play a snap to earn their highest ranking since 2010.
With a bye, Utah jumped four spots to No. 20 in the AP poll. UCLA and Georgia Tech both fell this weekend, so someone had to rise.
Why not the program that is No. 1 in sacks and tackles for a loss? Why not the team with a running back who has pounded his way to 334 yards in his past two games? Why not the group with a special teams unit that might be the best in the country?
Toppling the Bruins a week ago earned Utah some major respect in the college football world. This week, on the road again against a less formidable Oregon State team, the Utes seek to prove that they truly deserve it.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham may have said it best in the Rose Bowl's visiting locker room, before the Utes had cooled from their big 30-28 victory over UCLA.
"Remember last year, we faced Stanford, took them down, didn't finish the deal after that" Whittingham said emphatically, in a moment caught on camera by The Drive. "We will finish the deal this time."
One particular challenge stands out: facing regular wear and tear. The Utes have already used up their second bye week, and seven more games remain, with five against ranked opponents. Rest is a luxury Utah won't have.
The Utes reduced their on-field practice schedule this week, in part due to the Thursday game, in part to heal. Whittingham wants to keep the forward momentum going without sacrificing his players' bodies to do it.
"That's the balancing act that you're working with: Get the guys back healthy and fresh, but yet don't lose the edge that you've had all season," he said after Friday's practice.
The Beavers (4-1, 1-1) are arguably one of the least challenging teams left on Utah's schedule, but the memory of last year's defeat to Oregon State probably speaks more loudly than this year's records. Utah's defense is unlikely to underestimate Sean Mannion, who threw five touchdowns last year at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
This year, Oregon State has looked plenty vulnerable against teams such as Hawaii and Colorado, and the Beavers were crushed by USC. But numbers seem to hold up well on defense, where they are ranked No. 23 in the country. Quarterbacks don't have great games against Oregon State: The Beavers rank No. 10 in passing efficiency defense.
That may push the pressing Utah question to the forefront - namely, who is Utah's starter and how will he perform? If it's Kendal Thompson, will his arm be able to complement the talent he's shown with his legs? And if it's Travis Wilson, how will the junior veteran respond after being pulled early against UCLA? Will he regain his confidence?
For the No. 20 team in the nation, the Utes do have some gray areas they'd like to make clear. Thursday, they hope, will provide some of that clarity, and will validate their newfound esteem.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Utah at Oregon State
P Thursday, 8 p.m. TV • FS1 —
AP Top 25
Record Pts Pv
1. Mississippi St. (45) 6-0 1,480 3
2. Florida St. (12) 6-0 1,415 1
3. Mississippi (3) 6-0 1,413 3
4. Baylor 6-0 1,317 5
5. Notre Dame 6-0 1,228 6
6. Auburn 5-1 1,144 2
7. Alabama 5-1 1,068 7
8. Michigan St. 5-1 1,015 8
9. Oregon 5-1 1,014 12
10. Georgia 5-1 981 13
11. Oklahoma 5-1 935 11
12. TCU 4-1 917 9
13. Ohio St. 4-1 648 15
14. Kansas St. 4-1 626 17
15. Oklahoma St. 5-1 620 16
16. Arizona 5-1 590 10
17. Arizona St. 4-1 459 20
18. East Carolina 5-1 449 19
19. Nebraska 5-1 402 21
20. Utah 4-1 305 24
21. Texas A&M 5-2 264 14
22. Southern Cal 4-2 258 NR
23. Stanford 4-2 223 25
24. Clemson 4-2 188 NR
25. Marshall 6-0 148 NR
Others receiving votes • UCLA 110, LSU 67, Duke 45, Kentucky 36, Minnesota 36, West Virginia 27, Washington 22, Georgia Tech 11, Arkansas 10, Louisville 7, Rutgers 7, Iowa 6, Colorado St. 3, N. Dakota St. 3, South Carolina 1, Virginia 1, Wisconsin 1.