.png)
_edited_edited.png)
The Utah Utes are heading into a new world once again. This time, that world is the Big 12 Conference. Star quarterback Cam Rising, tight end Brant Kuithe and the Utes look to bounce back from an injury-riddled season last year.
The hype around the Utes is at an all-time high, and many are picking the team to win the Big 12 in their inaugural season. Here’s how the Utes' 2024 season could play out.
Week 1: Southern Utah Thunderbirds
The Utes will start their season against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, an FCS school about four hours south of Salt Lake City. Surprisingly, these two schools have met only twice. Their most recent matchup came in 2022 when the Utes routed the Thunderbirds 73-7. This game should not be much different. The Utes’ offense will be far too much for the Thunderbirds to handle, and their stout defense could hold the T-Birds to a single touchdown once again.
Record: 1-0
Week 2: Baylor Bears
The Baylor Bears are one of the Big 12 schools that Utah has met on the gridiron. Last season, the Bears and Utes faced off for the first time with Utah defeating Baylor 20-13. The Bears have struggled over the last couple of years. While adding Toledo transfer quarterback Dequan Finn will help, the defensive issues for the Bears remain unaddressed. Utah's much-improved wide receiver corps, with the addition of Dorian Singer, and their strong run game will show out in Week 2.
Record: 2-0
Week 3: at Utah State Aggies
The Utes will play their second neighboring team in Utah against the Utah State Aggies, a Mountain West Conference program located over an hour and a half away from Salt Lake City. The rivalry game between the Utes and Aggies is known as the "Battle of the Brothers," with the teams meeting 107 times since 1892. Utah leads the series with a record of 75-28-4. Their last matchup was in 2015, when the Utes won handily. An interesting storyline in this game will be former Utes QB Bryson Barnes facing off against his old team. Barnes’ familiarity with the Utes, due to starting most of their games last year, will not be enough to stop Utah from leaving Logan with a win.
Record: 3-0
Week 4: at Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are one of the favorites to come out of the Big 12, and the Utes meeting them this early in the season in Stillwater, Okla., will be very tough. Ollie Gordon II could be a Heisman Trophy candidate, and the Cowboys are coming off a Big 12 Championship appearance from last year. The last time the Cowboys and Utes faced off was in 1945, when the Cowboys dominated 46-6. With this tough challenge coming so early for the Utes, Utah will struggle to pull ahead.
Record: 3-1
Week 5: Arizona Wildcats
In Week 5, the Utes will face the Arizona Wildcats and new head coach Brent Brennan. The Utes and Wildcats are no strangers as the former Pac-12 Conference mates have a rich history. Utah leads the series with a record of 25-20-2.
Their most recent matchup last year ended with the Wildcats dominating the injured Utes 42-18. With the Utes finally getting healthy, they will get their revenge for that blowout loss and get back on track.
Record: 4-1
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: at Arizona State Sun Devils
After getting some needed rest, the Utes will travel to face the Arizona State Sun Devils. Just like the Wildcats, the Utes and Sun Devils have seen plenty of each other from their Pac-12 days. The Sun Devils have struggled in recent years. With head coach Kenny Dillingham entering his third season, there will be some improvement. However, the improvement will not be drastic enough for the Sun Devils to be competitive in the Big 12. The Utes will handle the Sun Devils and leave Tempe with their second road win of the season.
Record: 5-1
Week 8: TCU Horned Frogs
In Week 8, the Utes will face the TCU Horned Frogs for the ninth time in history. The Utes lead the series 5-3 with the teams' last meeting being in 2010. TCU has won the last two games against the Utes. While TCU no longer resembles the team that played in the national championship in 2022, the Utes are hungry for a chance to get there. The game will be close, but the Utes’ faithful in Salt Lake City will help lift Utah over the Horned Frogs for the sixth time.
Record: 6-1
Week 9: at Houston Cougars
With the Utes traveling to face the Houston Cougars, they won’t encounter anything they can’t handle. Although these schools have not played since 1978 and Houston leads the series 4-0, the Utes will grab their first win against the Cougars with ease. Rising, Kuithe, Singer and Micah Bernard will be firing on all cylinders at this point in the season, making them tough to beat.
Record: 7-1
Week 10: Bye
Week 11: BYU Cougars
This is the year that the iconic rivalry of the "Holy War" finally returns. The BYU Cougars and Utah are in the same conference once again and fans could not be happier. Despite Utah leading the all-time series with a record of 59-32-4, BYU got the best of Utah the last time they faced off in 2021. Since then, BYU fans have not let Utes fans forget it, leaving the Utes fans hungry for a chance to win the "Holy War" again. With the Utes getting their shot at home, they will not miss. Utah dominates the Cougars once again.
Record: 8-1
Week 12: at Colorado Buffaloes
This game has trap game written all over it. Whether you love or hate the Colorado Buffaloes, everyone still watches. Head coach Deion Sanders, QB Shedeur Sanders and the versatile Travis Hunter are captivating, if nothing else. This team is expected to be much better than last year. The Utes and Buffaloes are familiar foes, both joining the Big 12 this year while leaving the Pac-12. This game will be close and back-and-forth, with the Buffaloes giving the Utes a run for their money. However, the Utes will fight hard enough to avoid the upset.
Record: 9-1
Week 13: Iowa State Cyclones
The Iowa State Cyclones and the Utes have met only five times, with the Cyclones winning four of those games. Iowa State has taken steps in the right direction. But as it stands, they are no match for the now 9-1 Utes. The emotions will be high after the win against Colorado, but the Utes will take care of the Cyclones. Utah will control its own destiny for the Big 12 Championship game going into Week 14.
Record: 10-1
Week 14: at UCF Knights
The Utes are on the cusp of one of their best seasons ever. A shot at the Big 12 Championship game and the new expanded playoffs will be theirs if they win this final game against the UCF Knights. This will be the first time these two schools have ever played, and it should make for an exciting matchup. However, the Utes will have no trouble with the Knights and will punch their ticket to the Big 12 Championship.
Record: 11-1
Utah Utes Wrap-Up
The hype around this Utah team is real. They are talented and experienced on both sides of the ball. The Utes will win 11 games and be a top-12 team when all is said and done. Winning the Big 12 in their first year would be massive, but it will not be easy. They will likely face Oklahoma State again in this scenario. Follow the Utes and the rest of the Big 12 right here at College Football Dawgs.
.png)
.png)
Comentários