They started the season #12. If they'd gone 9-0 to start the year, including two Top 25 wins (SMU and Kansas St, though K St won't be ranked after this week), Utah would have gone up to #2 or #3.

And then when they had a tight loss versus Kansas, it's likely Utah would drop to #8 or so.

Instead we got up to #6 and will drop to #12 or #13.

It's not a massive difference. But it's enough and the difference between us needing a CCG win and having the slightest bit of breathing room