Utah blinked first in the duel with Stanford for first place, losing at 14th-ranked Arizona in the next-to-last week of the regular season.
The Cardinal capitalized, edging USC and then UCLA on Monday in a national telecast.
As a result, Stanford carries a one-game lead over Utah into the final weekend, which could conclude with the top two teams colliding Saturday in Salt Lake City.
Before then, the Cardinal must deal with No. 21 Colorado while the Utes face Cal.
“If we tie or win it outright, you’ve got a No. 1 next to your name,” Utah coach Lynne Roberts said. “I’ll take it.”
The Utes already have far