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Utah Is the National Championship Contender Nobody Saw Coming

Identities are usually forever in college football. It is nearly impossible to change them. And the sport's big boys are so desperate to keep others out of their club that they even legislate that reality—make all the rules so that they can have all the power, play for all the glory and keep all the money.

Somehow, Utah slipped in the door to the club while no one was looking. That's the way the Utes would want it: unnoticed. They are ranked No. 5 and are working on their third undefeated season in 12 years, but until now they have managed to do it in secret, maybe popping up to beat an Alabama in a Sugar Bowl and then going back into hiding.