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SALT LAKE CITY — With the Pac-12 Championship game on the line, No. 13 Utah failed to capitalize on the moment as UCLA beat the Utes 17-9 in the penultimate game of the regular season.
The following are some takeaways from Utah's loss.
Goodbye Pac-12 Championship game
After starting 6-0, Utah had a big lead going into the second half of the season. But quickly that lead diminished as Utah dropped three of its last five games and an opportunity to win the division.
Utah needed USC to lose a game and to win the remaining two games of the regular season. Oregon took care of business against the Trojans, beating USC 48-28, but Utah only managed 9 points against the Bruins, ending the dream of making it to the championship game.
In a seemingly down year for the Pac-12, this year seemed to be Utah's best chance. But Utah is once again on the outside looking in.
Injuries killing the Utes
The second half of the season hasn't gone well for the Utes, and much of that can be attributed to losing several starters. Coming into Saturday's game, Utah was without several key starters, including Devontae Booker, Hunter Dimick, Evan Moeai, Siale Fakailoatonga and Chase Hansen. Following the UCLA game, Utah is now without Britain Covey, Reggie Porter and Tevin Carter. That's a lot to take away from a team that started so well.
Although Utah's depth has increased since joining the conference, it's not yet good enough to replace the talented players missing from Utah's starting unit. With Booker and Covey out, head coach Kyle Whittingham said it's like taking away 80 percent of the offense. It's hard to sustain success with that many playmakers out of the game.
Unlike the USC's and UCLA's of the conference, Utah will continue to struggle to have the depth needed to compete in the conference. But it's nothing Utah can complain about because the rest of the conference is struggling with injuries as well.
Receivers not getting it done
Speaking of injuries, Utah's offense doesn't have enough depth to make an impact with its receiving core. Prior to the season's start, questions abound as to who would be the playmaker in the receiving unit. With one game left of the regular season and the likelihood of Covey not playing, those questions remain.
Kenneth Scott is the team's leading receiver, but he's not the guy that can beat you with his speed. Beyond that, Utah really doesn't have many options. Opposing teams are doing a great job of locking down the receiver routes and Travis Wilson is forced to create plays with his feet or sustain a sack. It's not a great strategy for Utah, but there aren't a lot of options left.
Joe Williams is a good replacement
With Booker out for the remainder of the season, Williams stepped up and gave Utah a strong running back option. Williams finished the game with 121 rushing yards on 26 carries and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. In a game where nothing seemed to go right for Utah, Williams emerged as a viable back able to lead Utah for the remainder of the season and into the next season.
