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Even as Gionni Paul wears Utah red, there's still a constant reminder of his previous affiliation on his right biceps: a tattoo of the Miami "U," half orange, half green.

Ink lasts for a lifetime, but that doesn't mean it can't be covered up. And Paul plans to swap out his old "U" for a new "U." He's thinking red for this one.

"I'm really about to change it," he told reporters Monday. "I'm about to go over it. My heart is at the University of Utah right now. Forever."

Fans' hearts are surely with Paul as well after the senior linebacker racked up seven tackles, a forced fumble and a catlike diving interception against Cal in a 30-24 win. This season, Paul is tied for team lead in tackles with 39, and has two picks, two recovered fumbles, one forced fumble, 2.5 tackles for a loss and four pass deflections.

Fully healthy for his first time in a Utah uniform, Paul has given the defense a dynamic playmaker in the middle of the field. A former linebacker himself, coach Kyle Whittingham said he often finds himself marveling with everyone else.

"He's got great instincts for a linebacker, he's always around the ball," he said. "Gionni is a guy who is a playmaker, and he's got as good instincts for a linebacker as certainly we've ever had here. That's certainly his strength."

Perhaps the impact of Paul's performance was diluted by great performances all over the defense on Saturday night. Utah took Pac-12 player of the week in offense (Devontae Booker) and special teams (Tom Hackett), but Paul was beaten out for defensive honors by Washington's Travis Feeney, who had 2.5 sacks in an upset over USC.

But Paul isn't as worried about week-to-week honors as he is about having a great season. One of his goals this year: become an All American.

"Coach Whittingham emphasized if you write down your goals, there's like a 90 percent chance they come true," he said. "I'm hoping to be [an All American].

Paul can be freakishly competitive. He says he has a running competition with Marcus Williams, Dominique Hatfield and other defenders over who can make the most game-changing plays.

He didn't come away with the most tackles or the most picks against USC, but his interception, coming off a tipped ball off Hunter Dimick's mitts, was dazzling. Even he isn't sure how he came up with it.

"Yoga," he suggested. "We take yoga classes, but I don't really know how I caught the ball. I just reached out for it and it ended up in my hands."

Rotations in the trenches

While the Utes said they hoped for five set starters to play almost the whole game on offensive line, nearing the midway point, the team has become comfortable with a rotation.

Whittingham said the right guard spot is a half-and-half split between Salesi Uhatafe and Hiva Lutui, while left tackle is "two-thirds Sam [Tevi] and one-third Jackson [Barton]." The arrangement has been going on for the last few games. In the case of Barton, Whittingham said, it comes down to playing well in practice and in games.

The offensive line relies on chemistry as much as any of the units on the team. But right tackle J.J. Dielman said the rotation hasn't affected how he plays all that much.

"It's different chemistry, but it's effective," Dielman said. "I know Leka [Uhatafe's] strengths and weaknesses, and I know Hiva's strengths and weaknesses. I know how to cater to my guard, you know? And they're playing lights out, both of them.

Whittingham "pulling for" Sarkisian

The Pac-12 was rocked early this week by news that USC coach Steve Sarkisian was put on indefinite leave on Sunday, then fired Monday afternoon.

Sarkisian is well-known in Utah as a former BYU quarterback and has ties with several coaches on Utah's staff. Ute co-offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick and Sarkisian were Cougar teammates during the 1995-96 seasons.

Sharing an alma mater with Sarkisian and having coached against him as a player and coach, Whittingham had nothing but supportive words for the ex-USC coach who is reportedly struggling with alcohol abuse.

"I wish him the best," Whittingham said. "I hope everything works out for him. And that's really the key for Steve as a person, to make sure he gets everything back in order. And my guess is he will. He's a tough guy and we're pulling for him."

Twitter: @kylegoon