The Utah Utes will move from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 Conference in 2024. Utah has turned itself into one of the most consistent and best programs in the nation. Twenty years ago, consider that they were in the Mountain West, set to break out that year behind Alex Smith and Urban Meyer. Utah won the Fiesta Bowl over Pitt that season, and since then, the Utes have been outstanding. They’re constantly regarded as one of the best programs in the nation, and entering the Big 12, they should compete right away.
Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt thinks they’ll be able to do exactly that. In fact, the Fox analyst thinks that it’d be “pretty surprising” if the Utes don’t compete for a Big 12 title at launch.
In discussing Utah on The Joel Klatt Show, Klatt said via On3, “They were 8-5 last year. It’s pretty good for most teams right? But it hasn’t been up to Utah’s standards,” Klatt argued. “So if you look at them in their recent past, that’s their worst season since 2017. And yet this next year, they’re gonna get Cam Rising back, they’re gonna get Brant Kuithe back.
“Kyle Whittingham is one of the best coaches in America. I think this program is one of the better programs in America. I’ll be pretty surprised if they are not playing for the Big 12 championship,” Klatt said.
The Utes have had a penchant for success and developed a reputation as a winner in Salt Lake City over the last few seasons. It won’t be a surprise to see that remain true.
[On3]
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022