Utes on rise but trying to stay grounded

Reverberations from Utah's triumph over Michigan are still being felt as the Utes prepare to host UNLV on Saturday.

Utah entered both polls this week -- at No. 22 in The Associated Press Top 25 and No. 23 in the USA Today coaches' rankings -- after beating Michigan 25-23 in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

The Utes hadn't been in the top 25 since the 2004 season, when they crashed the Bowl Championship Series party and wound up ranked No. 4 by the media and No. 5 by coaches.

Utah is trying not to make too much of its national status after dominating the Wolverines statistically in the season opener.

"It's a huge accomplishment to be ranked as a team," Utes quarterback Brian Johnson said Tuesday. "I think the team is mature enough to realize success only comes when you win. We're mature enough to handle the success and the rankings. We realize it's because of the hard work we put in. Nothing is handed to us. If we keep the same work ethic, I like our chances."

Utah plays the Rebels (1-0) in a 5 p.m. PDT game Saturday to open Mountain West Conference play.

The league might benefit the most from Utah's re-emergence. The Mountain West has two ranked teams -- Brigham Young is No. 15 in both polls -- for the first time since the end of the 2006 season (BYU, Texas Christian).

"I think it's significant for both," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said of the Cougars and archrival Utah being in the Top 25. "I do think it's good for the conference the more teams we have get national exposure and the credibility that is gained."

Winning at Michigan is one sure way to gain attention. What makes the victory perhaps more impressive is that the Utes essentially handed Michigan three touchdowns -- two after fumbles and the other following a blocked punt.

They also committed 15 penalties for 137 yards, including two 15-yarders on the Wolverines' final touchdown drive.

Utah's offense also struggled in Michigan territory, settling for four field goals by kicker Louie Sakoda.

Whether the Utes winning despite being so sloppy says more about Utah's potential or Michigan's woes will become clearer later this season.

For now, it's a signature victory, improving Utes coach Kyle Whittingham to 5-3 against BCS schools. But he already has moved on and is preparing for UNLV.

"We have a lot to get corrected, so there's a lot to work on this week," Whittingham said. "We've got to respond off the emotional win in the Big House."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.