From a Pac-12 perspective, the weekend results for the league’s top two teams — Utah and Oregon — muddied the water a bit on whether the conference has a case for getting a team in this year’s College Football Playoff.

One thing is clear, though, now: the Utes — a 35-7 winner over Arizona — are the Pac-12’s best and only shot at getting a team in the playoff. The Ducks — a surprising 31-28 loser at Arizona State — are out.

Among the most animated responses to how the weekend played out came from ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, who shared his support for Utah making the playoffs.

“Utah is nasty,” Van Pelt wrote on Twitter. “I would love to see them get in just to see what that defense would do vs. one of the unbeatens. Maybe they’d get stomped, who knows? But I don’t think they are going to end up getting the chance, which is a bummer.”

Utah is nasty.



I would love to see them get in just to see what that defense would do vs one of the unbeatens. Maybe they'd get stomped, who knows? But I don't think they are going to end up getting the chance, which is a bummer. — Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) November 24, 2019

USA Today’s George Schroeder runs a weekly Football Four piece, picking who college football’s top four teams are — and would be playoff bound — if the season ended today.

In Sunday’s edition, he had the Utes at No. 4.

“The Utah just keep going about their business, which seems to be dominating opponents while somehow remaining off the radar of most of college football. Arizona didn’t present much of a challenge. But no one has. Up next, Colorado and then the Pac-12 championship,” Schroeder wrote.

Up next for Utah is an ABC primetime game against Colorado on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST. A Utes win would send them to a second straight Pac-12 title game, on Dec. 6.

“Will the committee notice how good these Utes are?” Schroeder asked.

Fox Sports’ Tim Brando has been stumping for the Utes’ inclusion in the CFP, and doesn’t think Oregon’s loss should be used against Utah.

I REPEAT @Utah_Football shouldn’t be penalized for @oregonfootball gaffe tonight. Here’s where PURE PLAYOFF PRIVILEGE comes in. The Committee will easily dismiss the Utes because Oregon’s loss tonight diminishes a Title win against them. Committee needs to address Utah’s success! — Tim Brando (@TimBrando) November 24, 2019

Zach Moss is the most underrated RB in the country. Tyler Huntley is the most undervalued QB in the country. @Utah_Football shouldn’t have to depend on @oregonfootball success for a Title shot! Take note Committee the Utes shouldn’t be penalized for the time zone they’re in! — Tim Brando (@TimBrando) November 24, 2019

National college football analysts Joel Klatt (Fox Sports), Danny Kanell (Sirius XM) and Jason McIntyre (Fox Sports) each put the Utes among their top four teams in the country after week 13.

8 best teams in college football right now, because the sport needs an 8-team playoff:



1 LSU

2 Ohio State

3 Clemson

4 Utah

5 Alabama

6 Georgia

7 Oklahoma

8 Oregon



Just missed (no order): Florida, Baylor, Minnesota — Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) November 24, 2019

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura slated the Utes to make a CFP semifinal against LSU in the Peach Bowl in ESPN’s latest bowl projections, while colleague Mark Schlabach has Utah Rose Bowl bound to face Wisconsin.

College Football News’ latest bowl projections also have Utah facing LSU in the Peach Bowl in a CFP semifinal. Stadium College Football Insider Brett McMurphy has the Utes in the playoff, too, though facing Ohio State in the Peach Bowl in the semifinals.

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm, meanwhile, has the Utes facing Memphis in the Cotton Bowl in his latest bowl projections.

Others, like ESPN’s Paul Finebaum and Kirk Herbstreit, have the Utes among the nation’s top six teams — like they are in the latest Associated Press and Coaches polls — but still outside the country’s top four.

My latest CFP rankings after Week 13:



1. LSU

2. Ohio State

3. Clemson

4. Georgia

5. Alabama

6. Utah



And what’s yours? — Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) November 24, 2019

In the latest Yahoo Sports College Podcast, Dan Wetzel discussed whether Utah deserves the fourth playoff spot, behind leaders LSU, Ohio State and Clemson — if they hold serve.

“I’m going to advocate for Utah a little bit — 10-1, only loss is at USC. Now, everyone’s crapping on USC but they’re 8-4 and going to end up in the top 20. It’s a road game, (and) they’re not that bad,” Wetzel said. “The quality wins aren’t there, because the Pac-12 hasn’t done much but the margin of victory is 23 points. They’ve allowed only 120, they’re hammering teams. Utah certainly, I think, can hammer Oregon, I do not see a great Oregon team.”

Wetzel also pointed to a major sticking point on Utah’s playoff resume, it’s nonconference schedule.

“The non-con’s what’s going to get them because BYU is their only really good win. BYU Is 7-4, they did beat Boise State, but I don’t know how good that counts,” Wetzel said. “They may end up out because they scheduled Idaho State and Northern Illinois. They really need to step it up if they’re going to be a contender.”

ESPN’s John Brenkus perhaps provided the best parting shot, though.