Utah was #5 at the end of the regular season in the CFP rankings. Ahead of both 1-loss Oklahoma and Baylor and only behind undefeated schools and 1-loss GA from the SEC.

I don't think the P12 as a whole is the problem, The P12 lacks the elite blue blood program but makes up for it with more parity and the 9-game schedule.

The SEC is the exception. But outside of beating Clemson, Ohio State or Oklahoma, I don't know that the other conference schools have any more or less sway than the P12.