Three BOLD Predictions for Utah's First Big 12 Season

Why not get a little crazy and make some bold claims about the Utes 2024 season, from a Brant Kuithe career year to a inaugural Big 12 title, here are three daring predictions

In about six months, the University of Utah football team will begin its first season in its new conference.

After over a decade in the Pac-12, the Utes will be surrounded by new competition, fresh challenges, and a completely new goal: Winning the Big 12.

With excitement for the new season ramping up and the rumor mill in full swing, what better time to make bold predictions about how Utah might fare in its new environment.

Here are three bold predictions for Utah’s first season in the Big 12:

1.) Brant Kuithe Leads Big 12 in Receiving Touchdowns

Sep 14, 2019; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) scores a touch down during the second quarter against the Idaho State Bengals at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

A tight end has led Utah in receiving touchdowns in four of the program’s last five seasons. The only year where a tight end did not lead the Utes in receiving touchdowns (since 2019) was the team’s shortened Covid-19 season, where Britain Covey ranked first with three scores.

Since 2021, the beginning of Cam Rising’s tenure at the helm of Utah’s offense, tight ends have been utilized within Utah’s offensive scheme.

In 2022, Rising’s most complete season as Utah’s starting signal caller, Dalton Kincaid led the team with eight receiving touchdowns, while backup tight end Thomas Yassmin finished second with six scores. Moreover, Brant Kuithe caught three touchdowns of his own, before suffering a season-ending injury after about four games.

What I’m trying to say is this… Utah’s offense is built for the tight end, and because of this, Brant Kuithe will flourish in 2024.

Kuithe hasn’t played a game since his injury against Arizona State in 2022. Although that injury has taken nearly two years to heal, the star tight end is expected to be back and fully healthy for the Utes’ inaugural Big 12 season.

As the main beneficiary of a Utes’ offense that is expected to flourish under Rising, Kuithe should easily be able to haul in double-digit scores.

The Big 12’s receiving touchdown leader in 2023 was Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who hauled in 11 total scores. If the mark remains similar to what it was a year prior, Kuithe will surely be among the leaderboard of players competing for the conference’s top slot.

2.) Utah Ends Season as Conference Leader in Sacks Forced 

Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The Utes ended 2023 with a total of 36 sacks. In the same season, the Big 12’s leader in sacks forced was West Virginia with 33. Had Utah been in the Big 12 last season, they would have led the conference in sacks. I would argue that the Utes will be able to do the same in 2024.

Utah’s defensive line remains largely the same albeit the loss of star edge rusher Jonah Elliss. Despite a costly loss in Elliss, the team will have several key defensive line contributors returning, including Connor O’Toole, Van Fillinger, Logan Fano, and Junior Tafuna. The Utes also added EDGE depth with transfer portal newcomers John Henry Daley (BYU) and Kanious Vaughn (UTEP).

While Elliss was a talented playmaker at EDGE, leading the team with 12 sacks in 2023, Utah should be able to replicate his production with the athletes currently rostered.

Logan Fano is the team’s biggest D-line X-factor going into the 2024 season. As a freshman, Fano was on pace for a monster season, with 3.5 sacks in five games, before suffering a season-ending ACL injury against Oregon State. If Fano returns healthy, with the same vengeance he played with leading up to his injury, Utah might have the game-wrecker they need to replace Elliss’ lost production.

With Fano, O’Toole, Fillinger, Vaughn, and anyone else who contributes sacks, Utah should confidently be in contention to lead the Big 12 in sacks in 2024.

3.) Utah Wins 2024 Big 12 Championship Over Arizona

Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Call it Pac-12 bias, but the two Big 12 newcomers facing off in the conference championship game looks like a very real possibility.

The Utes are currently tied with Kansas State as the conference’s 2024 win total leader with an over/under of nine-and-a-half games. The Wildcats sit closely behind, tied for second with an over/under win total of eight-and-a-half games.

Despite losing head coach Jedd Fisch in the offseason, Arizona should be red hot led by the returning duo of Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan looks like one of the best wide receivers in the country, while Arizona also brought back their extremely poised young leader in Fifita.

Before a potential meeting in the conference title game, Utah will look to avenge their embarrassing 2023 home loss against the Wildcats, when the two teams meet in week five of the regular season.

The Sep. 28th matchup will set the stage for what could be a title game rematch, with the winner and conference champion, guaranteed a College Football Playoff berth.