As Utes eye potential three-peat, there’s still much to sort out in the Pac-12

Trying to figure out who has the best chance to get to the Pac-12 championship game in Vegas this time around is proving to be very challenging since half of the conference, no less than six teams look to be ranked, and more to the point six teams have a decent shot at making it to that game. The schedule, more particularity who plays who on the road gives us a clue as to what may happen with the top contenders which I would list as Oregon, USC, Utah, and Washington. USC has one huge advantage; it only plays Oregon on the road. Oregon has both Washington and Utah on the road which limits their chances. Utah has both USC and Washington on the road. And Washington has the Utes and Ducks at home. This would likely put USC and Washington in Vegas with Oregon and Utah tied just behind them. But there are so many intangibles in this. There are clearly 10 teams that you just can’t take lightly, and the other two are a bit of a mystery. If Utah finds a way to split the road games at USC and Washington, which is perfectly possible, they would be in great shape, but winning on the road for the top four teams could be done by them all. USC has the best schedule here. All of that said, the game between the Trojans and the Utes could be something else. Utah destroyed USC’s season last year. The Trojans will be really focused on this game ... but the same is true for the Utes who will bolster a team that looks to be even better than last year. Next team up ... Florida!!! Go Utes!!!

First things first ... Focus on Florida, then Baylor, then UCLA, then Oregon State, then a possible trap-game vs. Cal before the Utes trip to The Coliseum ... and it should be Utah’s and every Pac-12 team (win or lose) on USC’s and UCLA’s schedule to send all of them limping off the field. Give Lincoln Riley a taste of what’s to come in the B1G.