Utes not falling into Oregon State's trap

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham brushed off any thoughts that Oregon State could be overlooking the Utes as the Beavers coach Mike Riley suggested earlier this week, recognizing the Oregon State coach probably was making sure he had his team's attention. "He said the same thing last year," Whittingham said. "He said it could be a trap game. We've heard all that before so we don't pay attention to it." Course, the Utes did win last year's battle 27-8, adding to Oregon State's woes that turned out to be a 3-9 season. As for Riley, Whittingham said he has a lot of respect for the Oregon State coach, putting him up there with former Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick and former Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry. "He is really the dean of the Pac-12 coaches," Whittingham said. "He is a guy I believe who has a wealth of experience and knowledge and I have the utmost respect for him. In the meetings I hang on every word he says. "He is a phenomenal football coach," he added. "They were down a bit last year but he has them right back up and playing great football and he has that thing going right now." - Lya Wodraska