PFF Touts Utah as the Big 12 Favorite in 2024

PFF's Max Chadwick is the latest pundit to hop on the Utah hype train, projecting the Utes as the Big 12 favorite.

As the off-season rolls on, the hype around Utah continues to skyrocket to new heights. Joel Klatt, Andy Staples, Josh Pate, and now Max Chadwick all have fueled the Utes hype train. 

Will Utah win the Big 12 next season? pic.twitter.com/4imA8zv0Iy

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 22, 2024

Chadwick highlighted the return of Brant Kuithe and Cam Rising for their seventh season as a driving factor in the Utes being seen as the Big 12 favorite in their inaugural season. 

In 2021 and 2022, Rising and Kuithe connected for 9 touchdowns and 817 yards on 69 receptions, most of which came in 2021 in Kuithe's last healthy season. 

If the duo can remain healthy and return to their peak form, the rejuvenated Utes should make good on the projections countless pundits have placed on the program, which provide a refreshing change of pace for fans and players alike after the disastrous 2023 season.  

With the countless transfer portal wins that provide experience and athleticism in key positions, to recruiting grabs that provide depth and youth to the team for 2024 and beyond, the team is in a spot that should see them in the Big 12 driver's seat for the foreseeable future.