SALT LAKE CITY — Watching Oregon squeak out a victory over Arizona State Saturday, Utah clinched the Pac-12 South title and secured an invitation to the Pac-12 Championship game. It's something Utah has never accomplished since joining the conference.
But before the Utes take on either Washington or Washington State — the opponent will be decided Friday night in the Apple Cup at Washington State — the Utes will play their rival, the BYU Cougars, Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The game comes at a peculiar time, with the Utes having already wrapped up the South. And already short bodies, having lost starting quarterback Tyler Huntley and star running back Zack Moss, the Utes can’t afford to lose any further talent and still hope to have a realistic shot against either Washington schools, both Top 25 teams.