by Brad Rock Deseret News , Deseret Morning News

"I'm ready for it. I'm not scared, I'm ready," says Ute quarterback Jordan Wynn. Is he really? That's the question of the week. Everyone knows Wynn can handle Wyoming and New Mexico. But TCU is a different deal. Is a game-and-a-half of experience on the college level enough to prepare him for what lies ahead? "I mean, yeah," begins Wynn, before adding, "but I mean nothing will prepare me for this. This is the biggest game of my life against the best team I've ever played in my life. So nothing can fully prepare me for what I'm going to see on Saturday." So at least he knows. He's going against a fearsome defense, in a game of national implications. Lose and the Utes will still go bowling, but in the old familiar places. Win and there's an outside shot they could again end up in a BCS bowl. "They're good," says Wynn, of the No. 4-ranked Horned Frogs. "The majority of that defense is going to the NFL." Fact is, 1-1/2 games isn't much preparation for a team like TCU, which has been squashing opponents. Only one team has scored as many as 21 points against the Frogs, and that was, oddly enough, humble Texas State. The last four opponents, all Mountain West teams, scored a combined total of 25 points. The college game is dramatically faster than high school ? where Wynn was playing a year ago. And a game against TCU is exponentially faster than playing Wyoming or New Mexico. "Sure, these guys on defense (TCU) are going to speed things up for him," says Ute offensive coordinator Dave Schramm. "We talk about it every day." While starting a true freshman isn't the norm at Utah ? or anywhere else ? it happens. Alex Smith and Brian Johnson played as true freshmen, but didn't start. Ken Vierra did start (1981), and was respectable in two games. He completed 20 of 28 passes for 410 yards and two touchdowns. The next year Scott Cate started one game, completing eight of 21 passes for 140 yards. Wynn isn't unique among major college quarterbacks. A sizable number of freshmen have started at high profile programs this season. Michigan's Tate Forcier, USC'S Matt Barkley, Washington State's Jeff Tuel, Arizona State's Brock Osweiler, Rutgers' Tom Savage and Nebraska's Cody Green are all true freshmen, while Stanford's Andrew Luck, South Florida's B.J. Daniels, UCLA's Kevin Prince and Tulane's Ryan Griffin are redshirt freshmen. Some are playing due to injury or circumstance, others, like Wynn, are simply there because they've made a strong case. Players too good to wait. "Yeah," says Wynn, "there's a lot (of them). My freshman class is really loaded with good quarterbacks, so it doesn't surprise me at all." The results have varied. Forcier has 1,341 yards and a 10-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Barkley has 1,839 yards but just 10 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Savage has passed for 1,341 yards and has a flashy 8-to-1 touchdown/interception ratio. How long it takes for a freshman to find his rhythm varies. "All depends on the guy," says Schramm. But none of the aforementioned quarterbacks has played against TCU's defense, which complicates things for Wynn. Why there are so many freshman starters is up to conjecture. One factor is that more quarterbacks are leaving early for the pros, which bumps up the schedule for younger players. Also, freshmen like Wynn are graduating early from high school and showing up with their college teams in the spring semester. By the first kickoff, they're nicely acclimated. For his part, Wynn seems mature beyond his years. Both on and off the field, he is composed, confident and good natured. Not to mention fully aware of the challenge. "I need to not be overcautious, but be careful," he says. Which is exactly how he's handled the media this week. Thus, Wynn gets his real test today at Amon G. Carter Stadium. It's already obvious he can play college football , but this game could make him a star. "Everyone," says Wynn, clearly enjoying the moment, "knows the stakes." Even the kid with the freshest face on the block. e-mail: rock@desnews.com

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