by Zach Reger | The PAC-12 released its 2020 football schedule last week and it feels good to know that Utah will be playing football in less than one month. Utah got a good draw as their schedule tuned out to look like this.
11/7 (Saturday) vs. Arizona
11/13 (Friday) @ UCLA
11/21 (Saturday) vs. USC
11/28 (Saturday) @ Arizona State
12/5 (Saturday) vs. Oregon State
12/11 (Saturday) @ Colorado
12/18 (Friday) PAC-12 Championship
12/19 (Saturday) Interdivisional Games
Before the schedule came out, many Utah fans thought that their PAC-12 North game would be against Oregon. Last season, the Ducks beat Utah in the PAC-12 Championship, making the Utes lose out on their opportunity to make the College Football Playoff. Instead, Utah drew Oregon State. The Beavers went 5-7 last year, while going 3-6 in conference play. They lost a lot on offense but are returning 9 on defense. Despite the experience on defense, the Utes should win this game since Oregon State is no Oregon.
Games to Watch:
vs. USC on November 21
The Trojans are the favorite to win the PAC-12. Utah got another fortunate draw since they get to host USC. They also get an extra day of rest and preparation since the Utes play UCLA on a Friday the week prior. USC QB Kedon Slovis is returning with a strong supporting cast on offense, but they have a new Defensive Coordinator in Todd Orlando. This game will have major PAC-12 Championship implications even though it is early in the season.
@ Arizona State on November 28
Getting USC and Arizona State back to back will not be an easy task for the Utes. Arizona State has a great coach and a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Jayden Daniels has the chance to be the most explosive quarterback in the entire conference in 2020. Utah will need to bring their A-game in back to back to weeks if they want to make their third consecutive PAC-12 Championship.
Record Prediction: 6-1 and PAC-12 Champions
Despite losing to either USC or Arizona State, Utah will win the rest of their games and make the PAC-12 Championship. Utah has the coaching and talent on both sides of the ball to finally become Conference Champions for the first time.
Image courtesy College Football News