PHOENIX — Kyle Whittingham is pretty much staying in the background at most pre-Fiesta Bowl activities: He's the defensive coordinator of the University of Utah's football team for another two days and is leaving most public utterances to Florida-bound coach Urban Meyer.

But Thursday night at Pointe South Mountain Resort — headquarters for the Crimson Club, alumni and other fans — Whittingham stepped outside his quiet demeanor. During a 45-minute Utah pep rally that drew several thousand fans to the lawn of the hotel in advance of Saturday evening's Bowl Championship Series game at Sun Devil Stadium, Whittingham lobbed a few bold words to huge cheers.

"In 48 hours this thing kicks off," he said — "and we're going to be 12-0!"

Utah is the first team from a non-BCS conference, the Mountain West, to be allowed to participate in one of the four BCS bowls and will meet 8-3 Big East co-champion Pittsburgh.

The No. 5-ranked Utes, sixth in BCS standings, are favored.

Whittingham and Ute fans apparently agree with that.

Ute senior safety Morgan Scalley emceed the rally and introduced several teammates, including senior co-captain Bo Nagahi, who addressed the sea of red while wearing a yellow bowl official's jacket.

While Nagahi was talking, a helicopter flew overhead.

"Those must be the spies," the quick-witted cornerback shouted to the crowd. He then implored them to "come with it" on Saturday, "get loud, get crazy."

As if Ute fans need further encouragement.

"What an awesome turnout," said Ute defensive line coach Gary Andersen, gazing at the numbers that attended the pep rally. "Are you kidding me?"

Crimson Club director Frank Dolce said 27,000 tickets had been sold by the U. to club members and season ticket-holders alone. Many fans bought their tickets online or even from Pitt sources.

The pep rally — complete with the whole Ute team standing on or just behind the stage and senior defensive tackle Sione Pouha teaching the crowd the same Polynesian chant the team uses in its game preparation — was the university's gift to the Crimson Club, student group the MUSS and other Ute fans, said Dolce.

Tonight's New Year's Eve block party and a game-day tailgate party are being provided by the bowl committee for fans who purchase tickets, said Dolce.

Former Utah instructor Glenna Lloyd, husband Jess and their extended family of children and grandchildren from Colorado Springs, Colo., and Columbus, Ga., all wearing Ute cowboy hats and shirts and other regalia, had worked their way to the stage by the end of the pep rally, and the grandkids got some player autographs.