The nation’s college gymnastics coaches apparently think the Utes are stronger than the Pac-12 coaches believe.
The Utes, picked fifth nationally, are ranked second in the Pac-12 coaches preseason poll.
UCLA, which was sixth in the national poll, is the projected winner of the Pac-12 by receiving 47 points, including five first-place votes.
Utah is second with 44 points, including three first-place votes.
The Utes won the Pac-12 in 2014, 2015 and 2017, while the Bruins won it in 2012 and 2016. This is the fifth time the Utes have been picked to finish behind the Bruins. The only times Utah was picked to win the league title was in 2015 and 2016.
California is third with 30 points followed by Washington (28), Oregon State and Stanford (27), Arizona (12) and Arizona State (9) in the Pac-12.
The Utes will get their first shot at the Bruins on Jan. 14 in a quad meet in Reno, Nev., that also features Washington and Stanford.