Bowl recreation matchup predictions for Utah, Large 12 groups after closing week of standard season – Sports activities Illustrated

The school soccer common season is within the books and convention championship week is correct across the nook, which suggests it's virtually time for postseason-eligible groups to go bowling.
In fact, there's nonetheless a lot to kind out relating to the Faculty Soccer Playoff subject. However for these like Utah, which received't be competing within the Large 12 championship recreation on Saturday and subsequently, received't be positioned within the 12-team playoff, it's a easy ready recreation to see which bowl recreation organizers lengthen an invitation.
The Utes (10-2, 7-2) secured bowl eligibility again in October, although their postseason outlook was primarily solidified over the course of the ultimate week of the common season. Needing exterior assist to clinch a spot within the convention title recreation, Utah took care of its personal enterprise in a 31-21 win over Kansas however missed out on an opportunity to play in Arlington, Texas, for an automated Faculty Soccer Playoff bid after Arizona State misplaced to Arizona later that Friday.
Given Utah was the "second staff out" within the earlier CFP rankings and received't be taking part in for the Large 12 championship, there's not many causes for the choice committee to rethink its course of and put the Utes above a few of the SEC groups forward of them. And it doesn't assist that BYU, which has the head-to-head benefit over Utah, was thought of the "first staff out" earlier than the final weekend of the common season.
Talking of the Cougars — they'll face Texas Tech and BYU for the Large 12 championship. The Crimson Raiders are closely favored to win the rematch of their Nov. 8 matchup in Lubbock, Texas, although each groups may get into the Faculty Soccer Playoff if BYU finds a option to come away with a win.
Ought to Texas Tech replicate its 29-7 win over BYU from earlier within the season, although, there's an opportunity the Large 12 solely will get its convention champion into the playoff. As a result of whereas the Cougars have been inside the highest 12, the CFP rankings haven't mirrored the truth that 5 convention champions will get an automated berth, which means room must be made for a champion from the ACC, AAC and/or the Solar Belt, for instance, as a result of truth the highest groups from the SEC, Large Ten and Large 12 are already represented within the prime 12.
Assuming the Crimson Raiders beat the Cougars for a second time, it's virtually a foregone conclusion that 9 Large 12 groups can be competing in non-Faculty Soccer Playoff bowl video games this postseason: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas State, TCU and Utah.
With a few weeks to go till postseason play kicks off, right here's a have a look at Utah Utes on SI's predictions for bowl recreation matchups involving the Large 12.
All occasions Mountain Commonplace Time
Bowl Sport
Matchup
Location
Sport time/channel
Alamo Bowl
BYU (11-1) vs. USC (9-3)
Alamodome (San Antonio)
Dec. 30, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
First Responder Bowl
Kansas State (6-6) vs. Texas State (6-6)
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas)
Dec. 26, 6 p.m. (ESPN)
Vacation Bowl
Arizona State (8-4) vs. SMU (8-4)
Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)
Jan. 2, 6 p.m. (Fox)
Las Vegas Bowl
Utah (10-2) vs. Iowa (8-4)
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Liberty Bowl
TCU (8-4) vs. Memphis (8-4)
Simmons Financial institution Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
Jan. 2, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Los Angeles Bowl
Arizona (9-3) vs. UNLV (10-2)
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Dec. 13, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Pop-Tarts Bowl
Houston (9-3) vs. Georgia Tech (9-3)
Tenting World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
Dec. 27, 1:30 p.m. (ABC)
Price Bowl
Cincinnati (7-5) vs. Northwestern (6-6)
Chase Area (Phoenix)
Dec. 26, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Texas Bowl
Iowa State (8-4) vs. Missouri (8-4)
NRG Stadium (Houston)
Dec. 27, 7:15 p.m. (ESPN)
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Cole Forsman has been a contributor with On SI for the previous three years, masking faculty athletics. He holds a level in Journalism and Sports activities Administration from Gonzaga College.
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