UTAH UTES

Both Utah, UCLA Control Their Destiny In Pac-12 South Division

Nov 15, 2019, 4:17 PM

Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes runs into Elijah Gates #9 of the UCLA Bruins in the second quarte...

Tyler Huntley #1 of the Utah Utes runs into Elijah Gates #9 of the UCLA Bruins in the second quarter at the Rose Bowl on October 26, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As strange as it sounds, both UCLA and Utah control their own destiny in the Pac-12 South Division heading into Saturday’s matchup at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Bruins are on a three-game winning streak and have a 4-2 record in the Pac-12. Meanwhile, Utah is 5-1 in conference play. If Utah loses to UCLA on Saturday, they will drop to two losses in conference play and with losses to both the Bruins and USC, they would have the tiebreaker over the Utes if either of those schools have the same conference record at the end of the regular season.

If Utah wins (they are 21.5-point favorites), they will be in complete control over the South Division. USC has two games remaining on their schedule, at California on Saturday and at home against UCLA on November 23.

After their clash with Utah, UCLA will be at USC next Saturday and at home against California on November 30.

UCLA wasn’t expected to be in this position after starting the season with three losses and then winning by four-points in a shootout with Washington State and then losing their next two games against Arizona and Oregon State. During their three-game winning streak, UCLA has defeated Stanford, Arizona State and Colorado.

“We’ve got some momentum and they’ve got some momentum on a three-game win streak,” said Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. “They are starting to figure out who they are and are settling in. They are a very confident team, at least it appears that way when you watch them play. It is a team that controls its own destiny in the south just like we do, so it should be a great matchup.”

  • Utah Utes Scoreboard

  • Utah Utes Team Leaders

  • Utah Utes Standings

Utah Utes

Rabbit Evans' scoop-n-score was a big moment for him in his breakout season....

Steve Bartle

Rabbit Evans’ breakout season rewards the road back from injury

Rabbit Evans has turned last season’s injury setback into a breakout year, giving Utah a versatile defensive playmaker ahead of the Holy War.

19 hours ago

Big 12 football power rankings, Week 10, Utah, BYU...

Mitch Harper, Steve Bartle, Josh Furlong

Big 12 football power rankings: Utah, BYU take center stage

The rivalry game between BYU and Utah takes center stage in Big 12 football this week.

1 day ago

Devon Dampier leading the Utah offense through practice this week ahead of the Holy War....

Steve Bartle

Utah football’s 1-0 mentality carries into the Holy War

Utah enters the Holy War with championship stakes and a familiar focus: go 1-0. Devon Dampier explains the mindset behind the Utes’ success.

1 day ago

Alex Jensen and the Runnin' Utes get a 66-63 win over Long Beach State....

Steve Bartle

Instant takeaways: Utah basketball rallies from 17 down to escape Long Beach State, 66–63

Utah rallied from 17 down to beat Long Beach State 66–63. Five takeaways on Trey Campbell, defensive improvement and costly execution mistakes.

2 days ago

Corner Canyon three-star OT Moa Brown commits to Utah over USC and others....

Steve Bartle

Utah football lands Corner Canyon offensive tackle Moa Brown over USC

Corner Canyon OT Moa Brown committed to Utah joining an impressive in-state haul, choosing the Utes over USC, Arizona, BYU, and Michigan.

3 days ago

Morgan Scalley at his BYU, Holy War week press conference....

Steve Bartle

Five takeaways from Morgan Scalley’s Holy War week press conference

Morgan Scalley previews Utah vs. BYU with injury updates, praise for Devon Dampier and Bear Bachmeier, plus his message on Holy War emotions.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Photos provided by families of featured athletes...

KSL Sports

Northern Utah Player of the Week – Week 7 – Carson Murphy

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by family of featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Stacia Peoples & Gavin Lowe

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Rachel McBride & Lincoln Smith

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 13 – Janiece Sikander & Brody Thompson

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy's and girl's basketball players in Utah County.

Photos provided by featured athletes...

Salt Lake County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Evy Roberts & Krew Eckman

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Salt Lake County.

Photos provided by family of featured athletes...

Northern Utah High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 12 – Fabiana Lopez, Madden Johnsen & Bracken Saunders

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school basketball players in Northern Utah.

Both Utah, UCLA Control Their Destiny In Pac-12 South Division