No QB controversy up on the hill

Albuquerque and the Lobos are now in the rearview mirror, thanks to a convincing 56-14 win last Saturday night.

Let's just say right now that I'm glad that the trip over the weekend was uneventful. My last trip with the Utes to the Land of Enchantment, in 2006, resulted in a loss and a broken-down charter flight that left us marooned in New Mexico an extra 10 hours.

This time around, the only hiccup in the Utes' rout of the Lobos was a 25-minute delay at the beginning of the second half, when the lights went out on the east side of University Stadium. Thankfully, it wasn't "Laramie-like" this time around.

Utah's rival has struggled to deal with its quarterback situation through the first three games this season, though a shoulder injury has drastically changed that situation this week.

Indecision and quarterback issues aren't even being discussed on the hill. Normally, when a quarterback goes 20-of-23 for 248 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, you would think he's a no-brainer to start the next week.

Well, that's not the case at Utah.

Kyle Whittingham, Aaron Roderick and Dave Schramm are in the very enviable position of having two quarterbacks who are legitimate starters. All Terrance Cain did was break his U. quarterbacks coach, Brian Johnson's, passing efficiency record with his effort last Saturday night against the Lobos.

Yet it's very likely that he won't start this weekend against San Jose State. If Jordan Wynn's thumb is ready to go, then it's Wynn's job.

The beauty of this situation for Utah is that everyone is on board with this. The head coach has sent the message from Day 1 that it is Wynn's job — period! This means there is no confusion among the team, fans or media as to whose team or job it is.

Most importantly, there is no confusion or angst between Wynn and Cain. Harmony at the game's most important position generally translates into success, and that's exactly what Utah has seen in its first three games.

So three weeks into the season, the Utes sit at 3-0, ranked 13th in the country. What do we know about this team three weeks in?

The most pleasant surprise for me three games in has been the play of the Utah linebackers. Chaz Walker, Chad Manis and Matt Martinez were seen as a huge question mark before the season started, but not any longer. They have been outstanding against both the run and the pass in each of the first three games.