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AMES, Iowa ? Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham still won't take the bait. When asked about Colorado being able to join the Utes in the Pac-12 next season, he wouldn't bite ? sticking to his vow not to discuss such things until the current campaign is complete.
"No thoughts on that ? zero thoughts," Whittingham said. "Iowa State. All my mind is thinking about is Iowa State." Same goes for comment on Utah and BYU agreeing to continue the rivalry series. "All of our focus is on Iowa State," he replied. The 10th-ranked Utes (4-0) face the Cyclones (3-2) today at Jack Trice Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MT. It's expected to be a good test for Utah. The Utes are coming off a bye week that followed lopsided victories over UNLV, New Mexico and San Jose State. Iowa State defeated Texas Tech 52-38 last week. It was the most points the Cyclones have ever scored against a Big 12 Conference opponent. They netted 441 yards total offense, including 251 on the ground. Running backs Alexander Robinson and Shontrelle Johnson each topped 100 against Texas Tech. Senior quarterback Austin Arnaud is a dual threat with career totals of 5,854 yards passing and 1,106 rushing. His top target this season is tight end Collin Franklin, who has made 21 catches for 220 yards. "Very productive. He's a guy they like to throw the ball to," Whittingham said of the 6-foot-5, 252-pound senior. "He's got a bunch of catches this year. He's athletic." Athleticism also describes Iowa State's defense. Cornerbacks Ter'Ran Benton and Leonard Johnson are players of note, as is strong safety David Sims. Linebackers A.J. Klein and Jake Knott each have three interceptions and a fumble recovery this season. The Cyclones vary their coverages and have been quite effective forcing mistakes. "The turnover margin in this football game is going to be big," Whittingham said. So, too, is the respect factor. Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads is well aware of the Utes. He was Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl when Utah prevailed 35-7. "They play with great speed," he said before adding that the Utes are "extremely confident." Austen was also complimentary. "They're a very good team and their ranking speaks to that," he said. Utah enters the game on a series of high notes. The Utes are among the national leaders in several statistical categories. They've had success on offense, defense and special teams. Even so, players like senior center Zane Taylor are approaching the game with a chip on their shoulder. It's the last time, short of a bowl matchup, the Pac-12 bound Utes will face a team from a Bowl Championship Series conference as a non-automatic qualifier. "We might not be the underdog going into this game," Taylor explained. "But I'm kind of treating it like that." Utah has more wins (20) against teams from BCS conferences than any other outsider in the nation. Where to tune in? Today's Utah-Iowa State game will be televised on Fox College Sports at 5 p.m. MT. It can be viewed on Comcast's Sports Entertainment Package (channels 262, 263 or 264) and on DirecTV's Sports Pack (channels 617 or 623). Dish Network does not carry the Fox College Sports network. ESPN 700AM will handle the radio broadcast. e-mail: dirk@desnews.com
