Colorado @ Utah preview

THE STORY: After its 34-10 loss at California on Oct. 22, Utah’s inaugural season in the Pac-12 Conference was officially in a free fall. The Utes were 0-4 in the South Division and probably wondering if they would ever win a game. Well they did – four in a row, actually – and have amazingly put themselves in position to win the South title. If host Utah defeats fellow Pac-12 newcomer Colorado on Friday, coupled with losses by UCLA to USC and Arizona State to California, the Utes will play for the Pac-12 title at either Oregon or Stanford on Dec. 2. Utah’s chances of winning Friday are pretty good considering the Buffaloes have lost 24 straight outside the state of Colorado.

TV: FSN, Root Sports. LINE: Utah -21.

ABOUT UTAH (7-4, 4-4 Pac-12 South): The Utes kept their title hopes alive with a 30-27 overtime victory in the snow at Washington State last week. Utah has rallied behind a defense which is No. 1 in the Pac-12 and 20th nationally in points allowed at 19.9, and a strong rushing attack led by John White IV. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder junior is eighth in the country with 125.2 yards per game and second in the Pac-12 to Oregon’s LaMichael James (142.8). The Utes are 7-0 when White rushes for 100 or more yards this season.

ABOUT COLORADO (2-10, 1-7): After the Buffaloes celebrated their only Pac-12 win – a 48-29 pasting of Arizona two weeks ago -- it was a return to the road and back to getting crushed. Colorado lost at UCLA 45-6 last week and has been outscored 193-51 in its four Pac-12 road games. Colorado ran for only 87 yards against UCLA, which has the worst rushing defense in the Pac-12. Utah is No. 2 against the run and has the No. 3 overall defense in the Pac-12.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Colorado has allowed a school-record 461 points this season.

2. The last time the teams met, John F. Kennedy was president. Colorado leads 30-24-3 in the series, which began in 1903 and will be renewed for the first time since 1962.

3. Utah junior quarterback Jon Hays is 5-2 since taking over for Jordan Wynn, who had season-ending shoulder after the Utes’ 31-14 loss to Washington on Oct. 1.

PREDICTION: Utah 28, Colorado 7. The Utes win the Newcomer Bowl and become California and USC’s biggest fans.