The Utes have to get that win before the season dissolves into an utter loss. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham referred to the season as a marathon and not a sprint, but the distance of Utah's run matters little if the Utes never get started. Right now, the Utes seem like a fragile team shaken in confidence. What the Utes need is a victory, to prove to themselves more than anyone else they can be a decent team.

But looking at that schedule, when could that win come? Jiannoni gamely promised one this week vs. UCLA, but that promise was made more with a linebacker's bluster than a perspective based in realistic expectations. After all, the Bruins are a ranked team that has a cool-headed and efficient quarterback in Ben Olson, an offense that takes advantage of an opponent's mistakes and a defense that comes up with the critical stops when needed most. In other words, the Bruins are almost polar opposites of what the Utes are right now.

After UCLA, Utah's next game is at UNLV, a team that has beaten the Utes only once in 12 tries, but the Rebels played No. 5 Wisconsin tough in a 20-13 loss and will view the Utes as a vulnerable team. Following that contest is Utah State, the Utes' homecoming opponent and one of the most winnable games on the schedule. But if the Utes start 0-4, will they have anything left to give at that point?

"Right now, we have our own issues to deal with," Whittingham said in dissecting Utah's loss to Air Force. Even those who disagreed with the play-calling at the end of Saturday's game probably agree with him in that statement.

More unclear is where to begin with the deficiencies. Utah's offense continues to struggle, a problem that has grown with injuries to lineman Jason Boone, running back Matt Asiata, quarterback Brian Johnson and now receiver Brent Casteel, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the second quarter Saturday and is done for the season.

The coaching staff is hopeful Johnson can return for the UNLV game. More pressing is the lack of production from the running backs. Utah had just 73 yards rushing Saturday.

Ray Stowers got his second start and finished with 21 yards on six carries, all coming in the second half. Darrell Mack made his first appearance of the year and had seven carries for 25 yards. Last year's starter, Darryl Poston, finished with 12 rushes for 37 yards.

Combined with last week's poor performance against Oregon State, the Utes are averaging a measly 1.4 yards a carry, ranking the team 111th out of the 119 Bowl Subdivision teams (previously Division I).

"Our problems and issues boils down to the ineffectiveness of the running game," Whittingham said. "Until we get that fixed, things are going to be very difficult."

Quarterback Tommy Grady looked better in the fourth quarter running Utah's two-minute drill than he did the rest of Saturday's game, when he had trouble finding his open receivers or scrambled before he had to do so. Still, Utah fans are probably frightened how he and the offensive line will hold up against the Bruins if they couldn't handle Air Force.

The defense, too, caved against Air Force, but like the opener against Oregon State, how much of that was a result of simply wearing down from being on the field for so long isn't known.

What is known is the Utes have a lot of work to do to end the slide.

"There is no quit in us, certainly no quit in me," Whittingham said. "We have to forge forward and find a way to get better with the Bruins coming to town."

lwodraska@sltrib.com

(0-2, 0-1 MWC)

Aug. 30 at Oregon State, L 24-7

Last game: L, 34-3 vs. Cincinnati

Record: 1-1 Next: Idaho State, Sept. 15

Sept. 8 vs. Air Force, L 20-12

Last game: W, 20-12 vs. Utah

Record: 2-0 Next: TCU, Sept. 13

Sept. 15 vs. UCLA, 3 p.m.

Last game: W, 27-17 vs. BYU

Record: 2-0 Next: vs. Utah, Sept. 15

Sept. 22 at UNLV, 7 p.m.

Last game: L, 20-13 vs. Wisconsin

Record: 1-1 Next: vs. Hawaii, Sept. 15

Sept. 29 vs. Utah State, 1 p.m.

Last game: L, 32-18 vs. Wyoming

Record: 0-2 Next: at Okla., Sept. 15

Oct. 5 at Louisville, 6 p.m.

Last game: W, 58-42 vs. Mid. Tenn. St.

Record: 2-0 Next: at Kentucky, Sept. 15

Oct. 13 vs. San Diego St., 1 p.m.

Last game: L, 45-17 vs. Wash. St.

Record: 0-1 Next: at Ariz. St., Sept. 15

Oct. 18 at TCU, 6 p.m.

Last game: L, 34-13 vs. Texas

Record: 1-1 Next: at Air Force, Sept. 15

Oct. 27 at Colorado St., 3:30 p.m.

Last game: L, 34-28, California

Record: 0-2 Next: at Houston, Sept. 22

Nov. 10 vs. Wyoming, 1:30 p.m.

Last game: W, 32-18 vs. Utah State

Record: 2-0 Next: at Boise St., Sept. 15

Nov. 17 vs. New Mex., 3:30 p.m.

Last game: W, 44-34 vs. New Mex. St.

Record: 0-2 Next: at Arizona, Sept. 15

Nov. 24 at BYU, noon

Last game: L, 27-17 vs. UCLA

Record: 1-1 Next: at Tulsa, Sept. 15