247Sports Analyst Projects Utah to Lead Big 12 in Wins in 2024

As the 2024 college football season draws closer, more and more analysts seem to have Utah picked to take over the Big 12

Preseason Big 12 predictions continue to project the Utah Utes will impress in their inaugural season outside the Pac-12.

One of the most recent of these predictions, from 247Sports analyst Cody Nagel, has Utah tied for first regarding the conference’s highest 2024 win total.

In his breakdown of the Big 12’s 2024 way-too-early order of finish and final overall record for each team, Nagel projects Utah will finish with an overall record of 10-2 while boasting a conference record of 7-2.

Within Nagel’s prediction, the Utes are tied with the Kansas State Wildcats for both most overall wins and most in-conference victories.

Nagel’s runner-up to the Wildcats and Utes, in terms of final record, is a two-way tie between the TCU Horned Frogs and Oklahoma State Cowboys, with each team winning nine games. In regards to conference record, the West Virginia Mountaineers join the Horned Frogs and Cowboys for a three-way tie for third place with a record of 6-3.

Third-place isn't the only three-way tie within the prediction, as Nagel pinned the Houston Cougars, Cincinnati Bearcats, and Arizona State Sun Devils, to all finish their conference with a record of 2-7, tied for last place. 

Additionally, Nagel has the Colorado Buffaloes and BYU Cougars part of a three-way tie for sixth place in the conference, finishing with a record of 3-6 (overall 5-7). 

Circling back to Utah, there is no question Kyle Whittingham’s team has all the tools needed to win double-digit games in 2024.

Utah enters its upcoming season with arguably its most talented roster in years, filled to the brim with playmakers, leaders, and potential breakout stars. If the team can stay healthy, there is no reason Utah shouldn't be playing for a Big 12 Conference title on Saturday, December 7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.

Call it false confidence if you want, but college football pundits seem to agree.

“Utah is a trendy pick to see immediate success in the Big 12. The return of star quarterback Cam Rising and experience of Kyle Whittingham as head coach is a key reason behind that,” Nagel wrote in his Big 12 article, “The Utes also get some familiarity with games against the other ‘Four Corner’ schools that left the Pac-12 to join the Big 12. Utah does face a key matchup at Oklahoma State in September. The Utes have struggled on the road against top-25 opponents recently. Still, Whittingham has the pieces to take Utah to the Big 12 title game in 2024.”