Analyzing Utah's 2013 schedule
The Utah Utes won't make headlines with it, but they added a tough opponent to the 2013 schedule and got rid of Weber State.
Fresno State, who is projected to finish 5th in the MWC, has played Utah 9 times since their first meeting in 1980. Utah leads the series 5-4. Fresno State has proven to be a solid team in the past, and will definitely up Utah's SOS.
Toughest Opponent: Oregon
Oregon & Stanford would both be solid choices for toughest opponent. Fresno State who went 10-2 last year, and Utah State who went 10-2 also are also on Utah's schedule. Add in UCLA, USC, and BYU and you have a tough schedule. However, Oregon is the projected Pac-12 champion and that speed they possess is enough to make anyone cringe. Utah has a tough schedule, but Oregon is the toughest.
Cupcake: Colorado. The Buffaloes used to be a proud program but have struggled so much the past 10 years it's hard to take them seriously. The only game on Utah's schedule you can pretty much mark as a win.
Biggest Challenge for Utah's Offense: Look no further than the bruising defense of Stanford. Oregon uses speed, and will be difficult to contain, but that Stanford defense will test Utah's offensive line. If Utah can overcome that defense, they can overcome any defense, Pac-12, SEC, it doesn't matter.
Projected record:
Utah won't be happy about it, but they are projected to finish 5-7 this year. UCLA, Stanford, Fresno State, Utah State, Oregon, USC, and Oregon State are easy picks to be ranked this year. Utah has a great SOS, and if they were to go undefeated they would be in the NC game no doubt. But if they somehow make it bowling they should feel incredibly lucky. The Pac-12 is deep this year, even in the South. Only California and Colorado look like easy wins this year.