U. set for 'playoff' tilt

Officially, Utah's homecoming game with Boise State is nothing more than a non-conference encounter — an intriguing regional matchup.

Unofficially, it's a Bowl Championship Series playoff game, of sorts.

Whoever wins today's game at Rice-Eccles Stadium could take a big step toward BCS qualification.

Under new standards, a team from a non-BCS conference like the Mountain West and WAC can earn earn a spot with a top-12 finish in the BCS standings.

"This is a big game," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "This is a game to get back some respect and to earn some respect."

A sellout crowd will be on hand when the Utes (3-1) and 22nd-ranked Broncos (4-0) square off.

Utah is seeking its fourth consecutive win over a ranked opponent, while Boise State is looking to go 11-0 against teams currently in the MWC.

"On paper it's a very evenly matched game," Whittingham said, while noting the statistical comparisons. "There's just a lot of similarities between these two teams ... It's a toss-up."

Boise State coach Chris Petersen told the Associated Press earlier this week that going into the season he considered Utah the best team on the Broncos' schedule.

"Our whole focus isn't on a great ranking but playing a great Utah team," he said.

Any talk about the BCS, Petersen noted, has very little to do with Boise State's day-to-day activities

"We've only played four games," he said. "We have so many more hurdles to get over — starting this Saturday — before we even start thinking about that."

Petersen said focusing on such matters now would be a "recipe for disaster."

Utah, meanwhile, is familiar with the big picture. The Utes, after all, became the first and only outsiders to crack the BCS — doing so in 2004.

Since then, however, they've gone 10-6 while enduring a rebuilding process under a new coaching staff.

Senior safety Casey Evans said playing a nationally ranked team like Boise State represents a great opportunity for Utah to get back on the national scene.

Both teams, however, are well aware that the season isn't even half over.

"We haven't gotten so caught up in that BCS bowl situation," Petersen told AP. "For us it's so early. But our players definitely know about Utah."