Smith faces stay/go speculation

Will he stay, or will he go?

Speculation isn't limited to Utah coach Urban Meyer. Junior quarterback Alex Smith, who has already earned a degree in economics, may be an equally hot item these days.

The Heisman Trophy candidate — who is also in the running for Walter Camp, Davey O'Brien and Maxwell Award honors — may have little to prove if the Utes land in a BCS bowl.

Smith is 19-1 as a starter, leads the nation in points responsible (21.6 per game), and has thrown for 2,440 yards and 27 touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 212-pounder also has rushed for 529 yards and nine scores.

Could an NFL career be far behind?

"No. Definitely, it's something I haven't thought about," said Smith. "It's something I'll get a chance to do after the season if it were to present itself. Right now, winning this game is all I'm thinking about."

Smith and the fifth-ranked Utes (10-0) can complete a perfect campaign with a victory over BYU Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium (5 p.m., ESPN2).

"I'll get a chance to see what my options are after the season," said Smith, who has briefly discussed the subject with coaches in the past. "Right now, I'm planning on coming back. I still have another year."

Smith, however, said that his decision may be influenced by what Meyer, who has been mentioned for openings at Florida and Washington, opts to do.

"It might," Smith said while noting the difference coaches have made in his career from his freshman year to the past two seasons.

It'll be a factor, he explained, but not absolute.

GAMEDAY LOCATION SET: ESPN's "College GameDay" program — featuring Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit — will broadcast from a set installed on the parking lot west of Rice-Eccles Stadium. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the free tapings, beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday. The live national broadcast of "GameDay" is slated for Saturday from 8:30-10 a.m.

"This is great exposure for this great city and great university," said Meyer, who promised ESPN that 20,000 Ute fans would be on hand. "This will be a great week for everyone involved. This is a week that not many people will forget. This is what it's all about."

Besides boosting recruiting efforts by showcasing Utah football, Meyer believes the ESPN exposure will draw more attention to the rivalry between the Utes and Cougars. He said there's not a lot of interest in it by folks in places like Ohio, New Jersey and Virginia.

"After this week they'll find out all about it," predicted Meyer.

WRISTBANDS ON SALE: The University of Utah Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is selling red "Utah Utes" wristbands for $1 to raise money to benefit children in the Philippines, who need vaccines. SAAC president and football captain Morgan Scalley and Utah golfer Jake Sowby, who heads the community service project, will be selling the wristbands this morning in front of the Marriott Library from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. They can also be purchased at the Burbidge Academic Center, the Sports Den at Foothill Village, or at U. athletic events.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com