What happened? That’s the question Utah football fans have been asking in the wake of a 37-15 loss to Oregon in last week’s Pac-12 championship game.
Even though there were more what-ifs involved in a 10-3 loss to Washington in last year’s title game, this defeat was more devastating for three reasons: The Utes were No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the results of other championship games made it clear a semifinal berth was available to them and there’s a question about when Utah ever will have this much talent again.
Coach Kyle Whittingham’s immediate explanation that the Utes were beaten at the line of scrimmage resonates with me.