SALT LAKE CITY — Entering its final Pac-12 season, Utah has a shot to make a little history before leaving for the Big 12.
The 14th-ranked Utes will try to become the first team to earn three straight Pac-12 championships since the conference added them and Colorado in 2011. Oregon was the last to pull that off, winning titles from 2009 to 2011.
“Three-peat would be great,” coach Kyle Whittingham said. “No one has ever done that in the Pac-12. We haven’t been to the (College Football Playoff) yet. There’s a lot of things we have not accomplished that would be a big step for our program and those two are right at the forefront.”
Uncertainly at quarterback potentially stands in the way of a third championship. Starter Cam Rising is still recovering after tearing an ACL during the third quarter of Utah’s 35-21 loss to Penn State in the Rose Bowl.
The Utes were judicious with Rising in training camp. He worked on his throwing mechanics and footwork but was careful to avoid sudden movements and change in direction.
Whether Rising will be healthy enough to start before the Utes’ season opener Aug. 31 against Florida is unknown. Rising sounded optimistic at Pac-12 media day last month that he would be back in time but was much more guarded when asked recently.
“There’s no timetable,” Rising said. “Talk to the doc and go from there.”
If Rising can’t go, Bryson Barnes would start. Brandon Rose won the backup job in the spring but he is out indefinitely after suffering an undisclosed injury during a team scrimmage.
This isn’t the first time Rising has entered a season rehabbing a major injury. He also missed much of the 2020 season after suffering a shoulder injury against USC.
“It just gets rigorous and it’s kind of tedious because it’s the same thing over and over,” Rising said. “I just got to go attack it each and every day.”
When at full strength, Rising gives Utah’s offense a reliable and dynamic playmaker. Over three seasons, he has passed for 5,572 yards and 46 touchdowns while totaling 953 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
^ Running strong
Ja’Quinden Jackson made a strong first impression after a late-season move to running back a year ago. Now he enters his first full season at the position as Utah’s lead back.
Jackson switched from quarterback to shore up a backfield depleted by injury and off-the-field turmoil. He immediately flourished in his new role. Over his final six games, Jackson ran for 466 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
“He’s got the skill set and physical tools that you look for in a running back,” Whittingham said. “We all know what he did for us last year. He was a saving grace in the run game for us last year and he is determined to be even better this year.”