Colorado beats Utah 27-22 to claim first Pac-12 South title

Colorado is the Pac-12 South champion.

Just writing those words seems surreal simply because the Buffaloes came into the season having won five conference games during their first five years in the conference. However, the Buffs have been one of the nation’s best turnaround stories this year and their dream regular season culminated in a 27-22 win against Utah that secured a trip to Santa Clara to face Washington for the Pac-12 title.

Back-to-back turnovers in the fourth quarter, including a fumble recovered for a touchdown by Kenneth Olugbode, helped the Buffs secure the win in a sloppy, yet tightly contested game.

The Colorado defense was the story of the game as it kept the Utah offense relatively quiet. The Utes’ running game, which had been the strength of its offense in the latter half of the season, amassed just 179 yards and star running back Joe Williams, who had rushed for at least 100 yards in every game since his return from retirement, had just 97 yards and averaged 3.7 yards a carry.

Colorado won the Pac-12 South title after finishing last in every previous conference season. (Getty)

Utah quarterback Troy Williams, completed just 13 of his 40 passes for 160 yards, a touchdown and an interception. His touchdown pass came late in the fourth quarter. Otherwise, the Utes were ineffective in the red zone. They had five trips into the red zone and settled for field goals or turnovers on all but one.

It was good thing the Colorado’s defense played so well because the offense had an off night. In the first half, it struggled to get a rhythm and dropped two sure touchdown passes, which left the door open for the Utes. The 27 points for the Buffs marked their lowest output in the past three weeks.

Colorado will now turn its attention to the Pac-12 title game and a date with Washington. Washington has been the class of the Pac-12 with just one league loss to USC — just like Colorado. While both teams will be ranked in the top 10 heading into the game, Washington might actually be in the coveted top four and hold a spot for the College Football Playoff. If the Huskies don’t beat the Buffs, the Pac-12 likely will be left out of the playoff.