The wait between a loss and the next game can be unbearable at times. We haven't had to do this since 2007 and it's something I hope we're not experience much the remainder of the season.
But the week between games offers a chance for the team to collect themselves, work on what went wrong and fix what needs to be fixed. For both Utah and Louisville, this is exactly what they will be doing over the next few days, since both teams are coming off losses.
Because of this, neither can afford another loss. But I have a feeling more is on the line for Utah. It generally is when you're the favorite and playing at home. While the Cardinals are BCS, they haven't played much like a BCS team as of late and for that alone, no one will look past a loss here like maybe they did with Oregon last week. Add on the fact the Utes would be 2-2 entering conference play and things could get ugly extremely fast.
Fortunately, I don't expect that to happen. Whittingham has rarely had back-to-back bad games here. You have to go all the way back to the start of the '07 season to find the last time his Utes suffered an actual losing streak. That, of course, was when they were trying to replace Brian Johnson and Matt Asiata - who were both lost in a loss against the Oregon St. Beavers - and then fell to Air Force.
That isn't to say it won't happen and it has, but I feel confident adjustments will be made and Utah will come out an entirely different team than they were at Oregon. If that's the case, a breakout win here could establish good things for the rest of the year. Because once the offense does get going, I think it'll snowball, more or less.
But we'll see.
No time for Utah to lament about loss - College Football Nation - ESPN
ksl.com - UL coach: Trip to SLC is 'great challenge' for emerging team
Utah football: Offensive line knows it needs improvement - Salt Lake Tribune
Cards aim to bounce back after UK | Cincinnati.com | The Cincinnati Enquirer
Laramie Boomerang - Laramie, Wyoming > Sports
Deseret News | Utah Utes football: Takeaways bounce odd way for Utes