Set your alarm clocks, everyone.
The Utah Utes are getting up early on Saturday morning.
Kyle Whittingham and his 16th-ranked Utes have known for over a week that they would be kicking off against No. 17 Texas Tech at 10 a.m. MT, the featured matchup of Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” show.
With Rob Stone, Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn holding court outside Rice-Eccles Stadium, Whittingham and the Utes will be busy rearranging their schedules to prepare for such an early game.
Academic schedules prevent the team from practicing in the morning to adjust this week, Whittingham said. “But we added a few things in the morning, eating breakfast at the same time as the pregame meal. You try to mimic that so their bodies, in the short amount of time you do have, can acclimate as best they can to what’s going to be happening to them on game day.”
However, the longtime coach said he didn’t want to make the mistake of putting too much emphasis on the early kickoff.
Two years ago, the Utes put special emphasis on preparing for the heat and humidity of Florida when they traveled to play the Gators. “I think we made too big a deal out of going to the Swamp,” Whittingham said this week. “We’re heating the indoor up and doing all kinds of things. There’s a point where it just becomes more of a distraction than a help. But we will do a few things timing-wise to try to acclimate.”
As for the game itself, the Utes expect a tough test against one of the Big 12’s top offenses. The Red Raiders are averaging better than 600 yards of offense and 66 points per game.
“Phenomenal numbers,” Whittingham said. “... They’re good on third down, good in the red zone. Balanced attack. … Really, no weakness.”
But if the Utes’ defense can keep Texas Tech in check, Saturday will be a prime opportunity to show off for a national television audience.
“It’s a great opportunity for not only our program but for the university in general,” Whititngham said. “A chance for our fans to showcase what Rice-Eccles is all about. … Our players deserve to play on this stage.”