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Utah looks to continue BCS push against New Mexico

Nov 1, 2008 - 10:47 AM (9) Utah (8-0) at New Mexico (4-5), 9:30 pm EDT

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (Ticker) -- Situated in the mountains about 4,300 feet above sea level, Utah is more than used to rarefied air. As such, the Utes should feel right at home trying to crash the BCS party - which they can do with four more wins.

The ninth-ranked Utes put their perfect record on the line Saturday when they visit New Mexico.

Utah is already in exclusive historical company, having become the first school from a non-BCS conference to play - and win - a BCS bowl game.

Four years after its 35-7 victory over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl completed a perfect season, Utah is threatening to do it again.

One of the Utes' biggest tests of the season is just a week away - a home showdown against 12th-ranked TCU, which just two weeks ago ousted BYU from the ranks of the unbeaten with a dominant 32-7 triumph.

But Utah still has to get past New Mexico before it can even think about the Horned Frogs.

The Utes (8-0, 4-0 MWC) were in almost this exact position 12 years ago. In 1994, they had just vaulted into the nation's top 10 with a perfect 8-0 start. Then along came the Lobos, who pulled off a 23-21 upset.

This year's Utes will try to avoid that fate on Saturday. If last week's performance is any indication, they seem to be peaking at the right time. Utah posted its biggest offensive showing of the season in a 49-16 blowout of Colorado State, piling up a season-high 549 total yards.

Seven players rushed for 27 yards or more and five scored touchdowns - including two apiece from tailback Matt Asiata and backup quarterback Corbin Louks.

The Utes take on a New Mexico squad that cannot seem to develop any consistency.

Two weeks ago, the Lobos scored 49 points in the first half alone en route to a 70-7 laugher over San Diego State. Rodney Ferguson - the Mountain West Conference's leading rusher - ran for 149 yards and four touchdowns in the offensive outburst.

But New Mexico (4-5, 2-3) stumbled a week later, managing just 212 yards of offense in a 23-10 loss to Air Force.