Arizona eliminated from Pac-12 South race after Utah’s win at Colorado

The Arizona Wildcats still have a very big game tonight, but it no longer has nearly as much riding on it.

That’s because the Utah Utes, by virtue of their 30-7 road win over the Colorado Buffaloes earlier Saturday, have eliminated Arizona from Pac-12 South Division title consideration. Had Utah (8-3, 6-3) lost, Arizona (5-5, 4-3) would have still been alive for the South title and would have won the division with victories tonight at Washington State and next week against Arizona State.

Utah, the only team in the South yet to win a division title, clinches with a loss by ASU either tonight at Oregon or next week at Arizona. If ASU wins both games it claims the South by virtue of a head-to-head victory over the Utes.

With a division crown no longer achievable, Arizona’s sole focus is on getting at least one more win to secure bowl eligibility. If that doesn’t happen tonight in Pullman it would come down to the Territorial Cup to keep Kevin Sumlin’s first season from ending without a postseason appearance.