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These games seem to happen once a year for Troy Williams.
He did it a handful of times at Narbonne High, coughing up a few picks or fumbles at least once a year. He did it at junior college last year against Southwestern, throwing three interceptions despite winning the game 48-21.
Coming off his three-pick performance against BYU — which Utah survived with a 20-19 win — he hopes he's gotten turnovers out of his system.
"I'm glad it came early here," he said. "I try not to think about it, but it happens to me every year sooner or later. I'm glad I got it out of the way now."
In his Monday news conference, coach Kyle Whittingham warned of a "rivalry hangover" effect that he thinks has helped contribute to losses in the week following the BYU game in 2011, 2012 and 2013 — all against Pac-12 opponents.
Utah's first road trip Saturday night at San Jose State (1-1) may not be as intimidating as others on the schedule, but the Utes are working off another headache: turnovers. After coughing up six to BYU, the Utes admitted they were fortunate to win despite giving the ball away so often. Whittingham said he thinks Utah was the first team to do it since Maryland in 2014.
The host Spartans are coming off their own home blowout win over FCS Portland State — in which they had a plus-six turnover margin, by the way.
"I don't remember being around a margin like that," SJSU coach Ron Caragher said. "When you do have that, your chances of winning skyrockets."
And the team that gives up those turnovers — well, its chances take a dive.
Whittingham understands that concept as well as anyone, and said reducing turnovers will be a point of emphasis this week. Aside from Williams' interceptions, the Utes also struggled with six fumbles, three of them lost.
"No matter the circumstances, you have to take care of the ball," he said. "That's the number one objective offensively, to take care of the football. The number one objective defensively is to take the ball away. Everything else builds off of that."
Fortunately for Utah, there is plenty to build off of, especially on defense. Whittingham praised the Utes for holding the running game in check and making Taysom Hill uncomfortable in the pocket.
The idea that Utah did get a win with six turnovers, thanks in part to three takeaways of its own, helped buoy Whittingham's spirits. Linebacker Sunia Tauteoli earned Pac-12 defensive player of the week honors thanks to his pick-six to start the game, but internally, the Utes honored cornerback Reggie Porter, who had an interception and allowed only one completion.
And Utah's best drive — taking over two-thirds of the last quarter — came at the finish when the offense could have been totally out of confidence, but wasn't.
"They faced probably four or five games worth of adversity during the course of that game," Whittingham said. "They didn't flinch. They handled it very well. They kept coming back."
The Utes now see if they can take it on the road for the first time, the first Power 5 team to visit CEFCU Stadium since 2006. Caragher called Utah "a national power" and said he voted for them in his top 25 this week.
As is often the case, Utah's defense is rolling. The offense believes it can catch up as long as it keeps its eye — and its hands — on the ball.
"I think it's more of an attitude," offensive lineman Isaac Asiata said. "You've got to have all 11 guys doing their jobs … When the game's on the line, you've gotta go do your job."
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Utah at San Jose State
Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
TV • CBS Sports Network