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Phil Steele Releases “Strength Of Schedule” For 2022, Utes Come In At #107
SALT LAKE CITY- Now officially in the doldrums of summer, it only makes sense to talk about the Utes’ strength of schedule for the upcoming 2022 football season. College football guru Phil Steele released his annual list of “toughest football schedules” and Utah came in at 107.
2022 Toughest Opponent Win %. Here are all 131 teams with schedule ranked by Opponent Win % https://t.co/OJpApFFlBZ pic.twitter.com/hCJJiG8tCt
— Phil Steele (@philsteele042) April 12, 2022
That isn’t all that impressive at first glance, however, this is a prediction based off of educated guesses. You can take a look at Utah’s full 2022 schedule here. With that said, let’s dive in on what some of the numbers mean.
Wins Versus Losses
The reigning Pac-12 Champs will be facing a 12 team schedule in 2022 with a combined 71 wins and 80 losses from the previous season. The win percentage of those teams comes in at 47%.
Against all odds. #LightTheU and #PaintTheTownRed #Utes are @pac12 Champs and @rosebowlgame bound, baby 🌹🙌🏽 #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/DAX64nlsa9
— Michelle Bodkin (@BodkinKSLsports) December 4, 2021
Utah’s schedule is interesting from the standpoint of variety as to where teams will ultimately fall in 2022. Some teams are believed to be better than they were the year before like USC. Other teams appear to be just as bad if not worse like ASU. Others still remain more of a mystery like Florida.
One thing for certain is life in the Pac-12 is never boring. #Pac12AfterDark almost always provides wild finishes that deny all measured logic. Good teams suddenly look bad and bad teams turn into world beaters to be feared.
Ranked Teams
Utah will only face two ranked teams that finished in the Top 25 last season. Oregon finished the year at number 22, while San Diego State sneaked in at number 25. Utah of course finished the year at number 12.
Under normal circumstances the Utes would also have BYU on their schedule who came in at number 19 last season, but the Cougars have been replaced on Utah’s schedule in 2022 with the Florida Gators.
Winning Records
The Utes will play six teams in 2022 who finished 2021 with winning records. San Diego State (12-2), Oregon (10-4), UCLA (8-4) , ASU (8-5), Oregon State (7-6), and Washington State (7-6) all finished 2021 with more wins than losses while also returning on Utah’s 2022 schedule.
Bowl Eligible Teams
Utah will play against seven teams in 2022 that made bowl eligibility in 2021. Washington State made an appearance in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl in 2021. Arizona State played in the Las Vegas Bowl. Oregon headlined the Alamo Bowl. UCLA drew the Holiday Bowl. Florida squeaked into the Gasparilla Bowl. San Diego State played in the Frisco Bowl, and Oregon State in the Los Angeles Bowl.
