2002 Utah Utes football team

2002 Utah Utes football
ConferenceMountain West Conference
Record5–6 (3–4 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorCraig Ver Steeg (2nd season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorKyle Whittingham (8th season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumRice-Eccles Stadium
Seasons
← 2001
2003 →
2002 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Colorado State $   6 1     10 4  
New Mexico   5 2     7 7  
Air Force   4 3     8 5  
San Diego State   4 3     4 9  
Utah   3 4     5 6  
UNLV   3 4     5 7  
BYU   2 5     5 7  
Wyoming   1 6     2 10  
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

This season was Ron McBride's last at Utah. The team won their first two games, before dropping six straight. At 2–6 with only three games remaining, the team was guaranteed a losing record and would be ineligible for bowl play. However, the team then won the final three games of the season, capped by a 13–6 home victory over their biggest rivals, the BYU Cougars, finishing the season with a 5–6 record.