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Here’s what needs to happen for Utah to sneak into the Pac-12 title game

The Utes odds of getting back Vegas took a major blow Saturday night, but they have not been formally eliminated from contention.

(Andy Nelson | AP) Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) and Utah quarterback Cameron Rising (7) shake hands after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon beat Utah 20-17.

The University of Utah’s loss at Oregon has shut the door on its Pac-12 title hopes.

Right?

Not so fast.

Had Utah won, all the Utes would have needed to reach the Pac-12 championship game is win at Colorado on Saturday. Instead, the Utes need the win in Boulder and get a bunch of help — although the help they need is very plausible.

Here’s what needs to happen, according to a Pac-12 official, for the Utes to sneak in:

1. UCLA must beat Cal on Friday

2. Oregon State must beat Oregon on Saturday

3. Washington must beat Washington State

4. And the Utes must win at Colorado

It’s a lot to ask, but the Bruins and Huskies will both be considerable favorites.

The X-factor here is the 8-win Beavers, who are legitimately a small handful of plays away from being 10-1 and in the championship game mix. That rivalry game is in Corvallis and there are reasons to believe the Beavers can upset the No. 12 Ducks.

Utah-Colorado was announced on Sunday morning as a 2 p.m. kickoff on Pac-12 Network. Oregon-Oregon State is a 12:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC, and Washington-Washington State will begin at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.