Utah Utes 2024 Football Season At-A-Glance Preview

The Big 12 is making waves again, welcoming four new programs for the second straight year. In 2023, Houston, BYU, UCF and Cincinnati joined the league, but this year’s expansion is even more notable with the addition of the Pac-12’s “corner four” schools: Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State. The realignment is significant, especially with the departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, marking a transformative phase for the Big 12.

Among the new entrants, Colorado is getting a lot of attention because of its charismatic head coach, Deion Sanders. However, the Utah Utes, under the tenured leadership of Kyle Whittingham, are probably the strongest program joining the conference. Utah has been a consistent performer, appearing in two of the last three Rose Bowls and holding top-10 rankings for the past three seasons. With a commendable conference record of 31-10 over the past five years, the Utes are poised to make a substantial impact in their new conference home.

The Utes are once again led by veteran quarterback Cam Rising, and the move to the Big 12 isn’t likely to slow their momentum. As Utah embarks on this new journey, their schedule presents an intriguing slate of matchups, each with its own challenges and expectations. Below is an in-depth look at Utah’s 2024 schedule, complete with scoring predictions and notes for what promises to be an exciting season in Salt Lake City.

The Utes open their season with an in-state clash against Southern Utah. This game should be an ideal opportunity for Utah to fine-tune their strategies before diving into more rigorous conference play. A comfortable win here would set a positive tone for the season.

Utah’s first Big 12 game is a home matchup against Baylor. While Baylor is a formidable opponent, the Utes should have enough firepower to pull out a win. It could be a closer game than fans are hoping for, but a win in their first Big 12 game would be a significant accomplishment.

Utah travels to face in-state rival Utah State. Away games are always challenging, but the Utes’ superior talent and experience should see them through. This game is a good test of their resilience before they resume Big 12 action.

One of the toughest games on Utah’s schedule is a road trip to take on Oklahoma State. The Cowboys, known for their hostile home turf, pose a tough challenge. The Utes’ unfamiliarity with Big 12 road conditions could give Oklahoma State the upper hand. Mike Gundy is going up against the ageing Kyle Whittingham, but it’s nothing but respect

Returning home, Utah will face a familiar opponent in Arizona. Despite the Wildcats’ potential under new coach Brent Brennan, the Utes would need to take advantage of their home-field advantage to secure a victory.

A timely break will allow Utah to recover and prepare for the demanding slate of games ahead. This week off comes at a strategic point in the season, giving the team a chance to regroup and strategize.

Utah hits the road again to take on Arizona State on a Friday night in Tempe. Despite being away, the Utes should be the favorite given ASU’s relative weakness compared to the other new Big 12 members. A win here would strengthen their position.

A home game against TCU looks set to be one of the highlights of the season. The Horned Frogs are perennial contenders, but Utah’s home-field advantage could tip the balance in their favor in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Even away, Utah should be able to beat Houston, who will struggle in the Big 12. However, Houston’s future looks bright under new coach Willie Fritz, making this potentially a more competitive game than expected.

Another break, so Utah has time to prepare for the intense rivalry against BYU. This extra week of rest is crucial to fine-tune their game plan and rest injured players.

One of the most anticipated games on the schedule, Utah hosts BYU in a classic rivalry clash. The longer lead-up time should benefit the Utes, but expect a hotly contested battle that could come down to the final minutes. Utah’s Cam Rising on BYU: ‘I just want to go out there and beat them up’

Visiting Deion Sanders’ Colorado will be a test of Utah’s mettle. At this point, Colorado is likely to be in full swing under Sanders’ leadership. Utah’s veteran team, however, should be able to outplay the Buffs.

After a potential shootout in Boulder, a home game against Iowa State could be a lower-scoring affair. The Cyclones are known for their strong defense, but Utah’s overall strength should carry them to victory.

Traveling to Central Florida for their final game is a significant challenge, especially after a physically demanding regular season that ends on Black Friday. UCF has the potential to pull off an upset, especially if Utah has already secured a spot in the Big 12 title game.

Utah’s first season in the Big 12 is filled with exciting matchups and opportunities for the team to assert its dominance in a new conference. Under the experienced guidance of Kyle Whittingham and with Cam Rising at the helm, the Utes have the potential to navigate this challenging schedule and make a strong case for a Big 12 championship.