Utah Football No Longer a 'Work-in-Progress' Before 'Holy War' With BYU

Earlier in the year, the Utah Utes were close to wrapping up the first week of fall camp in Salt Lake City. There was a surprise guest on campus to check out Morgan Scalley's "work-in-progress" roster ahead of his first season.

Former Utah coach Urban Meyer was there on assignment for FOX Sports and noted that the Utes were building something, but not quite up to the level of being a contender. A few months later and the 3rd-ranked Utes are chasing history as one of three undefeated teams in the nation. Meyer took in the sights and sounds under Scalley's leadership. The coach turned commentator not only has a history with the program, but put the program on a path to where it is today. Needless to say, the Utes are looking to take another step forward with Saturday's 'Holy War' date with No. 9 BYU.

Meyer coached Scalley during the final two years of his playing career. The former Utes defensive back was named an All-American, Mountain West co-defensive player of the year, and a unanimous first-team all-conference in 2024.

Meyer led the Utes to a 22-2 record in two seasons starting in 2003. The following year, 'The U' ended with a perfect 13-0 record and No. 4 AP Top 25 finish. Utah deserved to play for a national championship and was left out by an outdated and highly controversial BCS system. The USC Trojans won a national championship that year, while Utah defeated Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. Utah quarterback Alex Smith was a Heisman Trophy finalist and eventual No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

USC, Auburn, and Utah all finished with undefeated records that season.

Scalley and the Utes are trying to stay undefeated with the opportunity to match Meyer's outstanding season. Utah was snubbed back in 2004, but they're in a much better situation compared to the BCS era. Being one of the teams to make the College Football Playoff is the goal this season. Scalley can follow in Meyer's footsteps with early success on the national stage in Salt Lake City.

Meyer moved on to Florida and won two national championships in a three-year span starting in 2006. He capped off his Hall of Fame coaching career with another title at Ohio State in 2014. Overall, he won 85 percent of his games, finishing with a 187-32 record, which ranks third all-time in college football history. He's the only coach to have two undefeated seasons with neither one tied to a national championship win.

Last year, Meyer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, becoming just the second Utah coach to earn the honor. Ike Armstrong, who led the Utes from 1925 to 1949, compiled a record of 141-55-15.

No. 3 Utah has its highest ranking in over two decades. The Utes host BYU in the most significant 'Holy War' contest ever on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Noon on ABC.