Pac-12 football: Utah describes USC game as ‘baptism by fire’

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Over the last 10 years, the Utah Utes have won five bowl games over BCS teams. In 2011 alone, Utah will face 10 BCS-teams now that it is part of the Pac-12.

“On behalf of the University of Utah, the first thing I’d like to say is we’re ecstatic about joining the Pac-12 Conference,” Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham said.

As for facing a Pac-12 team nearly every week, Whittingham knows the Utes face a new challenge.

“It is a little different ballgame,” he said. “Playing week-in, week-out, you have to be ready to bring your A-game each and every week.”

Whittingham certainly expects to continue beating BCS teams in the same fashion as the Utes did while in the Mountain West Conference.

“Our short-term goal is to win our opener, against Montana State on Sept. 1,” he said. “And our long-term goal is to represent the South Division in the conference championship game.”

Utah opens its Pac-12 schedule with a Sept. 10 match-up against USC at the Coliseum, a game which Whittingham described as “baptism by fire.”

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-- Douglas Farmer