The Utes have the star power to do it.
The team that never gets the credit it deserves has gone 20-8 over the past two seasons (15-3 in the PAC-12) and played in the Rose Bowl each year.
The Utes have a strong returning quarterback in Maxwell Award finalist Cameron Rising (3,034 yds., 26 TDs). And even though past year’s leading receiver, Dalton Kincaid, has moved on to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, Devaughn Vele (695 yds. 5 TDs) will be Rising’s first option in 2023.
The Utes lost several key pieces from their 2022 conference championship team, including running back Tavion Thomas, but Micah Bernard (533 yds, 4 TDs, 314 yds. Rec. 1 TD) returns from the transfer portal.
A consensus Top 15 pick this year, the Utes have the schedule to get national attention, including a big game coming out of the gate, a home contest at Rice-Eccles Stadium against the Florida Gators (8 p, August 31, ESPN, Utah -8). Game 2 is in Waco against the always-tough (and soon-to-be new conference partner) Baylor Bears (September 9). USC (away), Oregon (home), and Washington (away) are also on the slate.
ESPN’s pre-season Power Rankings have the #15 Utes lodged 3rd in the league (9-4 season prediction) behind #7 USC (10-3) and #13 Oregon (9-3).
