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Utah Football: Updated game-by-game predictions for 2020

By Riley Platt

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Samson Nacua #45 of the Utah Utes celebrates after scoring a touchdown and a two point conversion late in the third quarter during the Pac-12 Championship football game against the Oregon Ducks at Levi's Stadium on December 6, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Oregon Ducks won 37-15. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 06: Samson Nacua #45 of the Utah Utes celebrates after scoring a touchdown and a two point conversion late in the third quarter during the Pac-12 Championship football game against the Oregon Ducks at Levi's Stadium on December 6, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Oregon Ducks won 37-15. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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Chase Garbers, Cal football (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Washington had been one of college football’s most successful programs under Chris Petersen. With Petersen’s retirement, though, things could be different. Make no mistake, this will still be a good team, but it might take a bit of times to get things off the ground.

The 2019 season was a bit of a disappointing note for Petersen to go out on, finishing 8-5. New head coach Jimmy Lake now takes over looking to make his own legacy in Seattle. The Huskies lose Jacob Eason to the NFL, meaning that backup Jacob Sirmon will likely take over as starter.

The Huskies could very well make this an interesting game, but Utah is the better team and shouldn’t have too much of a problem putting them away.

Final Score: Utah 34, Washington 17 (6-1)

Cal was an interesting case throughout the 2019 season. A promising start was halted when Chase Garbers went down with an injury. While Devon Modster did a solid job stepping into the role of QB1, the Golden Bears were just not the same team.

Cal will enter the 2020 season with a healthy Garbers at quarterback and look to do damage in the Pac-12. Building off of a eight-win season, Justin Wilcox looks to progress even further. The Golden Bears suffered a 35-point blowout loss last season, getting blanked by the Utes. This will serve as motivation for a potential upset in Berkeley.

Both of these teams will be legitimate powers this season, and this game could honestly go either way. Ultimately, I believe that the Utes will prevail in a close one, but don’t be shocked if Cal pulls this one off.

Final Score: Utah 21, California 17 (7-1)

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