Look at their results (http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-08/mtn-west/2008-utah-utes-football-schedule.php):

13-10 vs TCU (TCU's kicker missed two very easy field goal attempts in the fourth quarter)

31-27 vs Oregon State (they needed a miracle drive at the end just to tie it, including a 2-point conversion where the refs threw a phantom PI on their first attempt to give them another attempt at making the 2 point conversion)

30-23 at Air Force.

13-10 At New Mexico? No explanation needed.

Even against Weber State, they only won 37-21.

Don't ever use Utah's 2008 season as a team to compare to. They were EXTREMELY lucky that entire season.