EGD, just playing Devil's Advocate, here is the problem.
Even if Utah makes it to #3 or #4, they'd probably get leap-frogged by any big conference team that gets a "big" win.
For example, if Utah was #3...and Michigan was #4. If Michigan beats Ohio St, Michigan would probably get enough votes to pass Utah.
Or maybe Texas/Oklahoma were behind Utah...but then if Texas/Oklahoma won the Big 12 Champ game, they'd leap-frog Utah.