Media Days for the Pac-12 Conference began on Wednesday, July 24 and not only were the Utah Utes predicted to win the Pac-12 South Division, they also edged out Oregon and Washington as the favorite to win the Pac-12 Title Game.
The Utes were an overwhelming favorite in the South Division, collecting 33 of 35 first place votes. USC picked up the other two first place votes and was selected to finish second in the division.
The North Division had a tie atop the standings in terms of top votes with Oregon and Washington each garnering 17 apiece but the Ducks edged the Huskies in overall points, 190-189.
It was perhaps this tight split that gave the Utes the opening they needed to be the favorite in the overall conference race as Utah tallied 12 votes compared to 11 for Oregon and 9 for Washington. USC picked up a pair and Washington State got one single vote.
The Utes finished (9-5) last season, advancing to the Pac-12 title game before losing to Washington. Utah opens up their season next month against rival BYU in Provo on August 29.
