Something caught Utah coach Kyle Whittingham's eye while reviewing his team's cumulative statistics after seven games. In third quarters this season, the Utes have outscored opponents by a whopping 62-9 margin.

After joking that it was his halftime speeches that were getting the job done, Whittingham offered a couple of explanations.

"I think our assistant coaches have done a very good job with adjustments," he said, while noting that good third quarters are usually indicative of halftime adjustments. "That has been our strongest quarter by far."

Conditioning, he added, also may be a factor.

"Our guys work hard all summer long on conditioning and all during the season so we don't lose our edge," Whittingham said. "I think that might be a product of that as well."

Besides third quarters, Utah has outscored the opposition 52-34 in the first and 94-35 in the second. The Utes are an even 55-55 in fourth quarters.

A BIT OF A BREAK: The Utes didn't practice Monday. They did, however, begin film study on Colorado State after some conditioning and lifting.

"We do it periodically as the season wears on," said Whittingham, who added that it's something the program likes to do about every three weeks or so this time of year. "We're banged up a little bit. We probably have half a dozen guys that would not be ready to go."

Linebacker Kepa Gaison is out 3-4 weeks with a knee injury, Whittingham noted, and is the only player who played against Wyoming that is definitely sidelined for the CSU game.

Koa Misi, Terrell Cole, Trevor Moss, Joe Dale and Zane Taylor are among several Utes with minor injuries, mostly bumps and bruises, who are considered "day-to-day" this week. Moss, however, has a concussion and is likely not to play. Misi has a sore hip and sat out the second half of last Saturday's victory.

POLL POSITION: Utah was one of four teams to receive a first- place vote in the latest Harris Interactive Poll. The Utes topped one ballot and are 14th overall in the rankings. No. 1 Texas (73), No. 2 Alabama (37) and No. 3 Penn State (4) received the other first-place votes. The Harris Poll, which was created to replace the AP Top 25 in BCS consideration, is comprised of voters who are former players, coaches, administrators and members of the media.

"That's news to me," Whittingham said when asked about Utah's first-place vote. "I guess somebody out there loves us. We'll take it."

The identity of the voter is unknown.

"Well, it certainly wasn't me," Whittingham added. "And as far as I know, my mom doesn't have a vote."

IMPACT PLAYER: Junior Ben Vroman doesn't get a lot of media recognition. Perhaps he should. The Skyline High product resides in relative anonymity despite leading the nation in touchbacks with 34 — 14 more than any other kicker in the nation. His efforts also have helped Utah top the Mountain West Conference in kickoff coverage with 49.0 net yards.

"Ben Vroman (gives us) a tremendous advantage field-position wise each and every week," Whittingham said.

IT'S ALL ABOUT TIME: The Utes are third in the nation in time of possession, averaging 33:50 per game. Whittingham said it's been a huge part of his team's 7-0 start this season.

"That's a team stat," he explained, while noting that the defense is getting the opposition off the field quickly and the offense is hanging on to the ball.

SCORING LEADER: Utah's Louie Sakoda leads the nation in kick-scoring points with 73. He also tops the MWC with 10.43 points per game.

"I do take pride in being the leading scorer. It's nice to see my name up there," said Sakoda, who noted that he's only on top because the Utes have so many weapons on offense and not a single go-to guy.

Sakoda, who is a returning All-American, is gaining a lot of attention for his success on the field. Besides numerous weekly accolades and national watch lists, Utah's official athletic Web site is updating award voters about Sakoda with a "Coronate King Louie" section.

"I think any player in college football, especially with a team like ours, would love to have attention like that," he said. "And socially it helps around campus with the ladies."

WINDY WORK: Saturday's blustery conditions in Laramie didn't slow Sakoda all that much. Though he had a bad punt and lost an opportunity to make a late PAT when the ball blew out of holder Bradon Godfrey's hands, the senior managed to make two field goals and four extra-point kicks in the 40-7 win over Wyoming.

"That was ridiculous. I went back there for two or three punts with that wind blowing right in my face, and I'm almost falling over," Sakoda said. "It's hard to keep your focus in that wind. ... It makes people do crazy things."

Utes on the air

Colorado State (3-3, 1-1) at

No. 14 Utah (7-0, 3-0)

Saturday, noon

Rice-Eccles Stadium

TV: The mtn.

Radio: 700AM

E-mail: dirk@desnews.com