SAN FRANCISCO, Utah, Aug. 2, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — The Pac-12 Conference has announced a new 10-game league football schedule that begins Sept. 26 and includes five home and five road games for each team.
“The schedule was developed to provide maximum flexibility and to prioritize the health and safety of all involved, through extensive consultation with the Pac-12’s Medical Advisory Committee,” said a news release from University of Utah Athletics.
The opponents include all nine originally slated for each school from the existing schedule rotation that formed the schedule released in January, plus one new opponent. For the two-time defending South Division champion Utes the additional opponent is Oregon.
The schedule is arranged for games to be played over an 11-week period with a bye week for each team. A bye week is any week during the regular season in which a team does not play a game. Games that are unable to be played on their scheduled date can be made up in their bye weeks or in Week 12 ending Dec. 12. The Pac-12 Football Championship Game is scheduled for either Dec. 18 or 19.
Utah’s new 2020 football schedule begins with back-to-back road games, Saturday, Sept. 26 at Washington State and Saturday, Oct. 3 at Colorado. The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10 vs. Oregon State at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Other home games are slated for Saturday, Oct. 31 vs. Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 14 vs. Washington, Friday, Nov. 27 vs. USC and Saturday, Dec. 5 vs. Oregon.
Remaining road games are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 10 at UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 7 at Arizona State and Saturday, Nov. 21 at California, the news release said. Kickoff times and television designations will be announced at a later date.
“This is an exciting announcement as we continue to plan for fall sports seasons while taking all precautions for doing so in a safe and healthy manner,” said Director of Athletics Mark Harlan. “I am particularly excited for our student-athletes and coaches in our fall sports who now have dates to plan for. We, and they, know we must also remain flexible as we go forward.”
For the 2020 football season, important guidelines with regard to stadium capacity and the ticket allotment process are still being finalized, and information will be sent soon to season ticket holders, the news release said.
“We are in close consultation with University, state and local officials, and through those discussions we anticipate a reduced capacity at Rice-Eccles Stadium this season because of physical distancing requirements,” Harlan said. “Every effort is being made to provide the safest experience possible for fans attending games, and for all involved. Season ticket holders will receive information soon to provide details on the ticketing and seating approach for the 2020 season, and the various options they may choose.”
The Pac-12 also today designated Aug. 17 as the date on which programs may begin fall camp.
2020 Utah Football Schedule; Home dates in bold
| Sept. 26 | at Washington State | Pullman, Wash. |
| Oct. 3 | at Colorado | Boulder, Colo. |
| Oct. 10 | Oregon State | Salt Lake City |
| Oct. 16 (Fri.) | at UCLA | Pasadena, Calif. |
| Oct. 24 | Bye | |
| Oct. 31 | Arizona | Salt Lake City |
| Nov. 7 | at Arizona State | Tempe, Ariz. |
| Nov. 14 | Washington | Salt Lake City |
| Nov. 21 | at California | Berkeley, Calif. |
| Nov. 27 (Fri.) | USC | Salt Lake City |
| Dec. 5 | Oregon | Salt Lake City |
