CFP Rankings Released: Where Do Utah Utes, Pac-12 Schools Fall Ahead of Saturday?
Utah Utes fans, it's that time of year again.
After eight weeks of college football, the entire NCAA shifts its focus from the AP Poll to the CFP poll — from Sundays to Tuesdays. Though sometimes the new ranking deviate from what teams, especially the ones in the top 5, had grown used to, it's what becomes the standard. For better or for worse.
The Utes aren't exceptions to the new ranking, and have even finished fairly high themselves, though this season might not tell that same story. After losing to Oregon at home, Utah is on the outside looking in, and not just in the CFP, but in the Pac-12.
So, where does that leave the rest of the conference after the first iteration of the CFP ranking? Let's look into it:
No. 5: Washington Huskies - (8-0)
Oct 21, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies safety Mishael Powell (3) celebrates with fans in the student section following a 15-7 victory against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Washington sits atop the Pac-12, yet still one spot outside of the top-four through eight weeks. A lot can change from now until the end of the season, but what remains is a golden opportunity for the Huskies to prove themselves. Their next three weeks are three straight ranked — at least right now — matchups against USC, Utah and Oregon State.
If they can come out of that stretch unscathed, they have a legitimate shot of joining the top-four, potentially leaving just one spot for either Michigan or Ohio State.
No. 6: Oregon Ducks - (7-1)
Oct 28, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) thanks fans after defeating the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
© Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
After knocking off the Utes to send them spiraling backward in the rankings, the Oregon Ducks sit in an interesting position. Two more ranked matchups await them in the final leg of the season, but they've also lost to Washington, who currently sits one spot in front of them.
If both schools finish with the same record, the Ducks can count themselves out of the running, though a Pac-12 championship win over the Huskies might sway that.
No. 16: Oregon State Beavers - (6-2)
Oct 28, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) thanks fans after defeating the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
© Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Oregon State comes in just two spots ahead of the Utah Utes, and likely for no other reason than their head-to-head results over them. Oregon State has proven it isn't a pushover this season, and will have numerous chances to prove that.
The Beavers will finish their slate with back-to-back matchups against top-10 teams, which will be big for their resume — especially if they want a chance at a conference title appearance.
No. 18: Utah Utes - (6-2)
Oct 21, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Utah Utes receiver Landen King (82) and defensive tackle Tevita Fotu (99) celebrate after the game against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Coach Kyle Whittingham's squad was tied with the Beavers for the biggest faller in the AP ranking — and the CFP did in fact match its placement. Now with losses to both Oregon schools, the Utes are in a hole as far as conference standings go, but they aren't completely out of it, and could very well end up in a big-time bowl game to gain positive momentum for next season.
No. 19: UCLA Bruins - (6-2)
Oct 21, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; UCLA Bruins tight end Moliki Matavao (88) gestures after defeating the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium.
© Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA arguably has the easiest schedule of the remaining contending Pac-12 schools, with just one ranked matchup remaining against USC. The Bruins this season have already suffered two losses and no longer have much wiggle room, but if they can finish strong, they also can find themselves with a big stage on bowl night.
No. 20: USC Trojans - (6-2)
Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) warms up during the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium.
© Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
A year after winning the Heisman Trophy, USC star Caleb Williams and company haven't found nearly the same amount of success they had a year prior. Williams has taken a step down production wise, as have the rest of the Trojans.
But they aren't out of it just yet, closing their slate with three straight ranked matchups in what could end up being a huge bounce back for them.
