Block U, a Utah Utes community

There was a clear difference in speed on the football field. It clearly showed and was a big difference. Do I think Utah belongs in the top 10? Do I think they have the ability to compete against all the other teams in BCS conferences? Absolutely. They’re a very good, a very well-balanced football team.

But before I boarded the TRAX for my return trip downtown, I noticed something that the Utes have that can only make Arizona blush with envy: two huge banners draped on the backside of Rice-Eccles Stadium.
One is for Utah's 13-0 Sugar Bowl season of 2008. The other is for the Utes' 12-0 Fiesta Bowl season of 2004; two enormous, colorful, logo-laden banners celebrating seasons that made everyone forget that Utah was mostly a football puffball from 1965 to 1995.

4. Kyle Whittingham, Utah coach. The best coach with the least hype, watch how Whittingham's program develops as a BCS school. The stadium and facilities already are magnificent (see: Olympics, Salt Lake City), the city is gorgeous, and all of those California recruits and their parents will take a renewed, long look at Utah. Collateral benefit: Now there's no reason for Whittingham to leave for a better job.

Utah athletic director Chris Hill said Tuesday that to comment publicly on expansion would unnecessarily add to the speculation.