ESPN+ CFP rankings: The case for and against each top 1-loss contender

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AP photo George Frey

Utah (9-1)

CFP ranking: No. 7

Remaining schedule: Saturday at Arizona, Nov. 30 vs. Colorado

The case for Utah: Utah is balanced, consistent and often dominant. An experienced defense features star power at all three levels, as linebackers Devin Lloyd and Francis Bernard have emerged this fall.

Utah leads the nation in rush defense and ranks in the top four nationally in yards allowed, yards per play allowed, points allowed and first downs allowed. The Utes have two shutouts and two games in which they have allowed just a field goal.

“That D-line, oh man,” a Pac-12 coordinator said. “They’ve got a lot of guys who will be playing on Sunday for sure.”

Stout defense is the standard at Utah, but the offense’s improvement has elevated the ceiling for the season.

Quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss propel the Pac-12’s top rushing offense (207.1 YPG). Huntley has been the league’s most efficient passer, completing 74.2% of his passes for 13 touchdowns and only one interception.

“Their quarterback is the MVP of the league,” a Pac-12 defensive coordinator said. “He’s a difference-maker.”

First-year offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig told me Huntley is “everything you’re looking for in a senior quarterback,” digesting a scheme that combines Ludwig’s concepts and what Utah used previously under Troy Taylor. Huntley is showing greater willingness to stay in the pocket, which helps in games in which Utah needs to throw to win. At Washington, he converted several key third downs through the air.

“Watching film of him as a junior and a sophomore, he would be quick to pull the ball down and try to make a play with his feet,” Ludwig said. “Now I see him developing the ability to slide in the pocket, buy a little time and really look to get the ball thrown downfield.

“The Washington game really helped our confidence.”

The case against Utah: Playoff teams have to deliver when the lights are brightest. Utah’s loss Sept. 20 at USC raised red flags that could resurface in a potential Pac-12 championship matchup against Oregon.

The Utes were uncharacteristically undisciplined, committing 16 penalties for 120 yards. They faced essentially a one-dimensional USC offense but couldn’t stop a third-string quarterback (Matt Fink) and a passing game that often resembled three flies up.

“That was the lesson: You better not leave a one-on-one out there,” said a defensive coordinator who faced USC. “Utah stayed in their base structures. Just couldn’t make the plays over the top.”

Utah spent almost the entire game in USC territory, and outgained the Trojans 457-381, but scored just 23 points.

“For whatever reason, Kyle hasn’t beaten them there,” a Pac-12 coach said, noting coach Kyle Whittingham’s struggles at the Los Angeles Coliseum. “Sometimes when that happens, people freak out.”

Utah can’t afford to freak out again. Although the Utes are consistently stout against the run, they allowed a combined 684 pass yards and seven touchdowns against the two most talented teams they have faced (USC and Washington). Oregon’s Herbert is more than capable of putting up similar numbers in the Pac-12 championship game.