Pac-12 football: Utah describes USC game as 'baptism by fire'

Over the last 10 years, the Utah Utes have won five bowl games over BCS teams. In 2011 alone, Utah will face 10 BCS-teams now that it is part of the Pac-12.

“On behalf of the University of Utah, the first thing I’d like to say is we’re ecstatic about joining the Pac-12 Conference,” Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham said.

As for facing a Pac-12 team nearly every week, Whittingham knows the Utes face a new challenge.

“It is a little different ballgame,” he said. “Playing week-in, week-out, you have to be ready to bring your A-game each and every week.”

Whittingham certainly expects to continue beating BCS teams in the same fashion as the Utes did while in the Mountain West Conference.

“Our short-term goal is to win our opener, against Montana State on Sept. 1,” he said. “And our long-term goal is to represent the South Division in the conference championship game.”

Utah opens its Pac-12 schedule with a Sept. 10 match-up against USC at the Coliseum, a game which Whittingham described as “baptism by fire.”

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-- Douglas Farmer