For a team coming off perhaps the most significant road win in program history, Utah certainly doesn't sound all that impressed with itself.

The 22nd-ranked Utes, back in the top 25 for the first time since the end of the 2004 season, will look to take their first step toward a bigger goal when they open their home and Mountain West slate on Saturday against UNLV.

Utah opened its season with a 25-23 win at Michigan last weekend, sending the Wolverines to their second straight loss in a home opener.

But while Appalachian State stunned the college football world with its 34-32 win at the Big House on Sept. 1, 2007, the Utes are hoping their victory is simply a sign of things to come.

"We got a chance to put our names on the map," senior quarterback Brian Johnson said.

Johnson was 21-of-33 for 305 yards as Utah outgained Michigan by 138 yards and had a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, but the Utes nearly squandered it before stopping a two-point conversion with under seven minutes to play to maintain their lead.

"It shouldn't have been as close as it was," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "It's a sign of a pretty good football team when you can not play your best and come away with a win, particularly in a venue like this."

It was good enough to vault the Utes back into the rankings for the first time since they were No. 5 after finishing the 2004 season 12-0 and beating Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl under Urban Meyer.

That was also the last time Utah won the Mountain West championship. After going a combined 15-10 from 2005-06 and losing three of four to start last season, the Utes finished 2007 with wins in eight of their last nine games. After a 35-32 victory over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, the strong play carried over to 2008.

"We had the confidence. We had the swagger," said kicker Louie Sakoda , who made four field goals - including a 53-yarder - against Michigan. "There was just a look in everyone's eye. It's not something I've seen in the last couple years of Utah football."

It certainly wasn't there in Las Vegas last season, when the Utes lost 27-0 to UNLV on Sept. 22, getting shut out for the only time since 1993. Utah had won its previous 11 games against the Rebels, but UNLV's Frank Summers ran for 190 yards and two touchdowns, also catching a third score.

"Last year we missed tackles and didn't tackle the guy," Whittingham said. "He is a powerful runner. We just did not tackle well."

The loss was especially perplexing considering UNLV didn't win another game all season, losing its last eight contests to finish 2-10. The Rebels finally snapped the skid in their opener Saturday, as Summers rushed for 87 yards and sophomore quarterback Omar Clayton threw for 192 yards and three scores in the Rebels' 27-17 win over Utah State.

"We played good enough to win," said UNLV coach Mike Sanford. "But I think we are going to get better and better on defense. I expect that."

They've still lost 20 of their last 21 road games, including 15 straight in Mountain West play.