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Utes, somehow, still alive in Pac-12 South race

How mucked up is the Pac-12 South? Well, look at it this way: Utah, who started 0-4 in the Pac-12, is still mathematically alive with only two weeks left in conference play.

Sure, it's a very big long shot, and I'm not even sure I like the idea of the Utes going up against the Oregon Ducks, but with their win Saturday over the UCLA Bruins, and Arizona State's loss to Washington State, Utah is now only one game back in the division race. 

I don't know if I should be impressed or mortified that the Pac-12 South really does seem that awful.

Regardless, the Utes enter their final two games with an outside chance of playing for a shot at the Rose Bowl. 

Still, it's not likely and would require a total implosion by the Sun Devils - as ASU would need to lose their final two against Arizona and Cal for Utah to have a prayer. 

But with Dennis Erickson as your coach, I guess anything is technically possible.

Of course, all of this is a moot point if Utah can't win Saturday. 

The Utes travel to take on the now resurgent Washington St. Cougars, who are fresh off their surprising victory over the Sun Devils. Like last week's game, the Utes now face an apparent streaking opponent coming off a huge home win. 

Hopefully the results are the same. 

If Utah leaves Pullman with a victory and the Sun Devils continue their losing ways, the final week of the season will decide who plays Oregon in the conference title game - with UCLA taking on USC (they'd need to lose), Utah hosting Colorado (they'd need to win) and Arizona State playing Cal (they'd need to lose also). 

Crazy, huh? 

'Tis life in the Pac-12