A big home stand lies ahead for the Utes as they get set to host the Ducks and Beavers.
Oregon is up first on Thursday (is that game really not on TV?). They come in with a NET ranking of 66, qualifying them as a Q2 win if the Utes can get it done. They come in 3-4 in the league, and only have 4 home games left after this weekend. It is a great opportunity to get a quality win and keep them at arm's length as well.
Wayne Tinkle has done a great job with the Beavers this year, as they come in 4-3 in league play with a NET ranking of 77 (Q3). They certainly have the horses to come to SLC and win, but this again would be a big time opportunity for the Utes to put some distance between themselves and a close-in-the-standings foe (understanding of course that there are 9 games yet to play after this).
Getting out of this weekend 7-2 in league play would be huge for the back half of the season, especially given the other games on the docket - We know Arizona/ASU will take a 4th loss this week, and the SoCal schools both travel to Washington, so a good possibility of each of them losing as well. Big opportunity for the team.