LOS ANGELES—The annual preseason media poll was announced this morning from the Pac-12 Conference Football Media Days and Utah was picked second in the South Division behind projected Pac-12 champion USC. The Utes received 220 points, including one first-place vote, in tying its best preseason media rank since joining the Pac-12 in 2011.
USC led the South Division voting with 309 points and 49 first-place votes, followed by Utah (220), UCLA (209) and Colorado (182), all which received one first-place vote. Rounding out the South were Arizona State (109) and Arizona (61).
Utah placed third in the Pac-12 South last year and was the only team in the division to beat USC, which finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation. The Utes earned a No. 23 ranking in the final 2016 A.P. poll.
Defending Pac-12 champion Washington was picked to win the North Division with 309 points and 49 first-place votes, followed by Stanford (247), Washington State (206), Oregon (163), Oregon State (101) and California (64).
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham and players Filipo Mokofisi and Salesi Uhatafe will participate in the Pac-12 Media Days today and tomorrow before heading back to Salt Lake City for the start of preseason camp on Friday, July 28.
Pac-12 Preseason Media Poll
North Division South Division
1. Washington (49) 309 1. USC (49) 309
2. Stanford (1) 247 2. Utah (1) 220
3. Washington State (1) 206 3. UCLA (1) 209
4. Oregon (1) 163 4. Colorado (1) 182
5. Oregon State 101 5. Arizona State 109
6. California 64 6. Arizona 61
