The Utah Utes wrapped up their time in the Pac-12 with an 8-5 season and a 14-7 loss to Northwestern in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Now, it’s on to the Big 12, where many consider the Utes to be a favorite to win the conference in their first season.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham is one of college football’s longest-tenured coaches, and he’s a big reason why Utah can be a dangerous team in the Big 12 right away. He’s won 162 games, two Pac-12 title games, three Pac-12 South Division titles, and led the Utes to a 13-0 season and Sugar Bowl win in 2008 when they were in the Mountain West Conference.
Utah isn’t a Group of 5 school that needs a runway to catch up with the rest of the league. The Utes are ready to compete now, and they’re one of many Big 12 teams with a legitimate shot to get to Arlington, Texas, for the league’s title game in December.
Here’s what you should expect going in.
UTAH OFFENSE: RISING TO THE OCCASION
Utah has plenty of talent returning from 2023. But one player matters most, and that’s quarterback Cam Rising. He missed the entire season due to an injury and is back for his … checks notes … sixth year of college football? Yep, that’s right. Sixth. But he’s worth the wait, with more than 6,500 total yards and 58 total touchdowns in his career. For his career he’s completed 64% of his passes.
He returns to a group of skill players led by wide receiver Money Parks, who caught 31 passes a year ago and figures to be a huge part of the passing game. One of Rising’s favorite targets from 2022, tight end Chase Kuithe, is back after missing all of last season due to an ACL tear. Transfer receiver Dorian Singer caught 62 passes at Arizona in 2022 and another transfer, Syracuse’s Damien Alford, averages nearly 20 yards per catch.
Last year’s top rusher, Ja’Quinden Jackson, transferred to Arkansas. But the Utes have options — returnees Micah Bernard and Jaylon Glover, along with transfer Anthony Woods, who was all-Big Sky last year with Idaho after gaining 1,155 yards and scoring 16 times.
Tackle Spencer Fano, a Freshman All-American, leads an offensive line with three returning starters and a pair of holdovers who logged time, giving them plenty of experience going into this season.
Related: Five Big 12 Teams Listed in CBS Sports’ Preseason Top 25
UTAH DEFENSE: EXPERIENCE TO THE FORE
Last year, the Utes were No. 19 in the country in scoring defense (19.3 ppg), No. 4 in rushing defense (82.8 ypg), and No. 13 in total defense (307.2 ypg). The Utes have lost some key talent, including All-America pass rusher Jonah Elliss, who is now in the NFL.
The good news is the Utes expect back seven starters, though the season-ending injury to Levani Damuni, last year’s leading tackler, in the summer hurts. Still, with tackles Junior Tafuna and Keanu Tanuvasa, linebacker Lander Barton, cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn, and safety Tao Johnson all back, Utah has the talent to duplicate what it did a year ago.
Still, Utah wanted to bolster depth on the back line and lured a pair of transfers, Kenan Johnson and Cameron Calhoun, from Power 4 programs. That back line could be the unit’s most vulnerable piece early in the season.
UTAH SPECIAL TEAMS: BEST FEET FORWARD
Utah has both of its specialists back from a year ago and placekicker Cole Becker should be healthy after he made 15-of-18 field goals and hit a 51-yarder while fighting an injury. Punter Jack Bouwmeester should help the Utes control the field position game after he averaged 45.5 yards per kick last year.
PREDICTION: UTAH GOES 11-1, REACHES BIG 12 TITLE GAME
The Utes are unlikely to win every game, but they certainly have a favorable schedule. Utah should go undefeated in non-conference — which includes a matchup with Baylor — and then opens Big 12 play with a pair of tough games — at Oklahoma State and then at home against Arizona. Win both at the Utes COULD go undefeated. But they’re likely to slip up in one of those two games. It won’t keep them from a date in the Big 12 title game, though. Between Utah’s talent and schedule, there’s a clear path to get to the championship game.
Related: Predicting Every Game of the 2024 Big 12 Football Season
