Utah Football Deserving Of This Week & The Memories It Brings

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah football is preparing for the biggest game in program history dating back to 2019. The number 3 ranked Oregon Ducks enter Rice Eccles Stadium for a date with the number 23 ranked Utes.

The last year and a half have been as challenging as it has ever been for the Utes. They have dealt with two deaths in the family, coaching drama, all while dealing with the unknowns of a global pandemic.

But all of those struggles make weeks like this even more special. For so much pain and agony that everyone involved in the program has dealt with, the joy of hosting the Oregon Ducks on such a grand stage seems like some sort of reward.

.@oregonfootball head coach Mario Cristobal, OC Joe Moorhead and DC Tim DeRuyter had a lot to say about the Utes this week.#GoUtes https://t.co/JENvjuZ7dl

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 17, 2021

It is weeks like this one that make the early mornings and constant work/life balance challenges worth it.

Rice-Eccles Stadium will be packed. It will likely be as loud as it has ever been. The atmosphere will be unmatched within the conference. You see, many college athletes will only ever experience atmospheres similar to what Rice-Eccles produces when they get to play in stadiums such as Rice-Eccles. The Ducks also have a strong home-field advantage. But outside of Utah and Oregon, the rest of the Pac-12 struggles to put butts in seats.

This week will forever be remembered by the players of Utah. It will be a memory that will forever be remembered, win or lose.

It feels right that Utah will be able to experience such joy.

Nothing will ever compare to playing in front of a packed Rice Eccles Stadium. Nothing will ever compare.

Tom Hackett & Steve Bartle discussed this subject among others on the latest episode of The It’s Utah’s World podcast.