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SALT LAKE CITY — Forgotten in all the chaos of the weekend's drama-filled collapse of the Pac-12 amid the latest shuffling of teams as part of ongoing conference realignment is that actual football will be played in just over two weeks.
On Monday, the USA Today released its preseason Coaches Poll, signifying the unofficial start to the season ... and the debates sparked over the 25 teams lucky enough (or not) to see their names included in the preseason honor.
Two-time reigning Pac-12 champion Utah entered the preseason Coaches Poll ranked No. 14, which is the second-high ranking for the program in the Pac-12 era. The Utes return a majority of its starters from the previous season in which the team was ranked No. 8 in the preseason poll, but the health of quarterback Cam Rising remains a pressing concern.
Utah is the third-highest ranked team from the Pac-12 entering the season, and is one of five total teams ranked from the conference, the most of any other conference in the country.
The Pac-12 is led by No. 6 USC, which returns reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at quarterback, followed by No. 11 Washington, No. 15 Oregon and No. 18 Oregon State. It's a conference that features arguably the best top-to-bottom quarterback competition in the country in what will be the last season of its current makeup.
At the top of the rankings is two-time defending national champion Georgia, followed by No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Alabama, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 LSU.
The Associated Press Top 25 rankings will be released Monday, Aug. 14.
