LOOK: Utah Utes Get College GameDay vs. Oregon
Utah Utes coach Kyle Whittingham might have started a new series of jokes and nicknames with his "Pig Farmer" comments Saturday, but those will have to stop rather quickly ... or at least be toned down.
After the Utes' victory over Caleb Williams and USC Saturday, their spot among the top-watched college football programs was only further solidified, as they are set to welcome ESPN's College GameDay crew to Salt Lake City prior to facing Oregon.
Taking down a Williams-led offense is one thing, but to do so without your own starter is another. Utah did both, which certainly played into its watchability.
Now with a top-15 ranking and a 6-1 record, the Utes aren't completely out of the mix for the College Football Playoff. Currently, they sit in second place in the Pac-12 behind Washington, with still a game to play against it, which could likely determine a winner if all goes right.
Before that, however, Utah will have to work past Oregon at home.
So far this season, the Ducks have rolled past most of their opponents — Deion Sanders’ Buffs included — though they got stopped in their tracks by Washington just two weeks ago.
Suddenly, the stakes are higher for Utah. Hanging with Oregon certainly would be a promising sign for the Utes, especially considering how close the Ducks played Washington.
Nothing is for sure, that is, except College GameDay coming to Salt Lake City. And for now, that’s all that Whittingham’s squad can hope for.
Kickoff from Rice-Eccles stadium as the Utes take on Oregon is set for 1:30 p.m. MT.
