A season ago, ranked No. 11, Utah went into a matchup against No. 18 UCLA at the Rose Bowl with its defense riding high. After a poor showing in a loss to Florida to open the 2022 season, the defense rebounded nicely, holding its next four opponents — Southern Utah, San Diego State, Arizona State and Oregon State — to a combined 43 points. Utah rode its four-game win streak into Los Angeles, having dispatched Oregon State 42-16 the week before, with all of the confidence in the world.