Utes' schedule enters season's toughest stretch

Here it comes.

Beginning with Saturday's game against No. 22 Boise State, Utah enters the most difficult part of its schedule — back-to-back home games against nationally ranked opponents.

TCU, currently ranked 17th, visits Rice-Eccles Stadium just five days after the Broncos.

The challenging stretch, though, is being approached by the Utes in two segments.

"It's a one-game season. This is it. Boise State is all we're thinking about," insists Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "It is a non-conference game, but make no mistake — there is no thought in the back of our mind that we'll take a little deep breath because it is a non-conference game.

"This is a big game. This is a game to get back some respect and to earn some respect," he explained.

Utah enters the regional showdown with a pair of three-game winning streaks. The Utes (3-1) bounced back from a season-opening loss to UCLA to defeat Northern Arizona, Utah State and San Diego State. They also hold the distinction of beating three straight ranked teams — No. 24 Georgia Tech (2005 Emerald Bowl), No. 19 Pittsburgh (2005 Fiesta Bowl) and No. 19 Oregon (2003).

The quest for four will be backed by a sellout crowd. All tickets to the first meeting between Utah and Boise State since 1999 were gone last week.

"It's a great test for our football team to show what we are all about," said Whittingham. "We're excited for the game. I've got all the respect in the world for Boise State."

The Broncos, who are off to a 4-0 start this season, were a late addition to the Utes' schedule. It was announced on the final day of February.

The NCAA's decision to allow teams to play a 12th game, coupled with a schedule vacancy created when Ohio needed to add Temple to its MAC schedule, left Utah athletic director Chris Hill searching for an opponent. Boise State was receptive and the schools worked out a four-game series that will be played on an annual basis from 2011-13.

"Geographically it made sense," said Whittingham. "Why not play a quality team like Boise State that's in the general vicinity rather than make a trip back to say Syracuse or something like that?"

Though guarded against overscheduling and overshadowing conference play, Whittingham is glad Utah is stepping up to the challenge.