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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has accomplished many things since joining the Pac-12, but they have not quite been able to win the elusive South Division. They have watched multiple times as it has slipped right through their hands.
But this year may be the perfect shot at redemption.
Life is good for Utah football right now. They moved up to No. 15 in the College Football Playoff rankings and are atop the Pac-12 South with a 4-2 conference record and only three conference games remaining. They have complete control over their destiny. If they win the remaining three conference games, they will be playing for the Pac-12 title.
If this situation sounds eerily familiar to you, it’s because this isn’t the first time Utah has found themselves in this situation.
In 2016, Utah was 4-2 in conference play and were ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll when going into their final three conference games. They controlled their destiny and had they won out they would have been playing in the Pac-12 championship game.
If 2016 and 2018 are still not similar enough for you, the final three conference games might help.
This year, The Utes travel to Tempe to face Arizona State, return home to play the Oregon Ducks, and then back on the road to Boulder to face off with Colorado. The schedule is 100 percent identical to the 2016 season’s final three conference games.
In 2016, Utah beat Arizona State 49-26, but collapsed when they lost in heartbreaking fashion to a 4-7 Oregon team, 30-28. They went on to drop the game in Colorado as well, losing 27-22. Utah did not end up in the Pac-12 championship and settled for a win over Indiana in the previously named Foster Farms Bowl.
So should Utes fans be afraid? No, and here is why.
Utah 2018 team is superior to the 2016 team in many factors. In 2016, Utah ranked 41st in total defense and allowed 22.3 points per game. Utah was 102nd in the nation in passing yards allowed per game at 258.2.
They were even worse on offense. They ended the season 97th in total offense, and the passing offense only averaged 180 yards per game, which ranked 106th in the nation.
This year, both sides of the ball are firing on all cylinders. Utah ranks seventh in total defense, third in rushing defense by allowing only 81.1 rushing yards per game, and only allows 16.8 points per game.
The offense has also caught fire this year with five 40+ point games, four of which have come consecutively in the last four weeks. Running back Moss is on a tear and is up to 964 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season. He is averaging 6 yards per carry.
Moss opens up the passing game for the Utes and quarterback Tyler Huntley, who is taking advantage of the balanced offense. Over the last four games, Huntley has been extremely efficient, throwing for an average of 219.8 yards per game and seven touchdowns and only two interceptions. He also has a 73 percent completion rating during that time.
Although the situations are eerily similar, the teams are vastly different. It remains to be seen how this season will end up for Utah football, but Utah fans should not be fearful due to the collapse in 2016. Instead, they should be excited about the perfect shot at redemption in the Pac-12 South.
The Utes will be facing Arizona State in Tempe on Saturday at 2 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.
