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Trying to overcome the psychological impact of losing a game, coaches often say they try to keep an opponent from “beating them twice." Physically, though, Utah’s football team may have that effect.
It happened this month with Arizona State. The Sun Devils were 5-1 before losing at Utah, then falling at UCLA. The theory, as researched by Pac-12 expert Jon Wilner of The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.), is the Utes take a physical toll on opponents that carries over. In the past four seasons, Pac-12 teams are 10-15 the week after playing Utah, including 3-12 on the road. Wilner notes he’s not factoring in the quality of the next opponent, but the trend is distinguishable.
California, perhaps fortunately, is off this week. The Utes’ relentless nature was on display again in a 35-0 victory last Saturday.
Going into the game, it was worth revisiting how the most recent meeting (in 2016) with Cal ended — and, in Zack Moss’ words, how he has gone from “that guy to this guy.”
Moss then added to his collection of school career records and the Ute defense posted some more ridiculous numbers in stuffing the Bears, as The Tribune’s Julie Jag reported.
So the Utes moved back into the top 10 of the AP Top 25. Looking ahead to Saturday’s game at Washington, I suggested Utah needs to perform at that level to win in Seattle.
Coach Kyle Whittingham provided good insight into his program’s climb toward a .500 record in conference games as a Pac-12 member.
Samson Nacua is always fun to interview, and he warmed to the subject of facing a Washington team that includes his brother Puka as a freshman receiver.
What would this Utah team look like without any of these four players: Leki Fotu, Julian Blackmon, Bradlee Anae or Moss? We’ll find out in 2020, but their decisions to stay at Utah as seniors seemingly have paid off for them and the program.
To illustrate life in Pac-12 women’s volleyball, Utah has lost three matches in the past two weeks and moved up one spot to No. 17 in the AVCA poll. That’s because the losses all were to Top 25 teams, while the Utes beat then-No. 9 Washington. Here’s my account of Sunday’s battle with Washington State.
The Ute men’s basketball team beat Texas-Tyler in an exhibition game Wednesday. The biggest takeaway ...
Other voices
Wilner looked into Utah’s College Football Playoff possibilities (MERC).
The Dawg Pound site analyzed the Pac-12′s big matchups this weekend, Utah at Washington and Oregon at USC (SBNATION).
Joe Coles of the Deseret News profiled defensive lineman Mika Tafua, who tends to be overlooked (DNEWS).
Around campus
• The Ute volleyball team’s four-match homestand continues Friday ( 7 p.m.) vs. Arizona State and Sunday (1 p.m.) vs. Arizona. The Utes (14-7, 6-4 Pac-12) are tied for sixth place in the conference, but are only one game out of second place. ASU’s roster includes Kennedi Boyd, a freshman middle blocker from Lone Peak High School.
• Utah’s women’s soccer team (6-7-4, 1-4-3 Pac-12) has fallen to 10th place in the conference. The Utes will visit Washington on Thursday, then play Sunday at first-place Washington.
• Utah’s No. 16 women’s cross country team will compete Friday in the Pac-12 Championships at Monmouth, Ore. The Utes then will prepare for the NCAA Mountain Region Championships on Nov, 15 at Rose Park Golf Course.
