Utah 2023 Season Preview
Likely the most overlooked fact in college football: Utah enters 2023 coming off of back-to-back Pac-12 Championships. Not only that, they won both Pac-12 Championship games decisively with an average winning margin of 25.5 points between the two games. Far more impressive than they receive credit for. That being said, the Utes were fortunate to get into the Pac-12 Championship game in 2022 with it having to go to the 4th level of tiebreakers to determine who would play USC between Utah, Washington and Oregon. Each finished with a 7–2 conference record.
Cameron Rising is back to lead the Utes and have every intention to continue their run of Pac-12 crowns. With a tougher schedule than last year, the Utes will have their work cut out for them but the experience to attack it.
Rolling with a cup of Nespresso Half-Caffeinated today to get us going as we near the end of our season previews for the Pac-12 conference.
Synopsis
Returning Cam Rising is without a doubt this biggest key for this team heading into 2023. He suffered a torn ACL in the Rose Bowl which gives cause for concern on him maintaining full health throughout the season but based on what we’ve been hearing, he’ll be ready to roll. Along with Rising in the backfield, sophomore running back Ja’Quinden Jackson will have an opportunity to be the primary back for the Utes. Jackson led the Utes in rushing touchdowns last season with 9 despite splitting time with Tavion Thomas and Micah Bernard… and Cam Rising who has proven his ability to get outside the pocket in his career.
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One of the biggest playmakers and arguably the most exciting players to watch on the Utes last season, Dalton Kincaid, is off to the pros as he was drafted in the first round by the Buffalo Bills. More than deserving of that draft position. That being said, the Utes look to reload at TE with seniors Brant Kuithe and Thomas Yassmin. To replace Kincaid’s production will be a tall order as he compiled 1,414 yards alongside 16 touchdowns in his 3 seasons at Utah.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Utes have a significant amount of experience especially on the line. The secondary is a bit of a scramble with some first year starters likely to get the chance to prove themselves as the Utes lost 2 time TD scorer off INT’s, Clark Phillips III to the NFL and Clayton Isbell to the transfer portal (TBD) who was a potential to step in and start for the Utes this season. While there may be some questions, Kyle Whittingham has done a wonderful job of having the Utes program in a “next man up” mentality and structure to where they are ready to reload and make a run for three straight Pac-12 Championships before they ship off to the Big 12.
2023 Outlook
The Utes schedule for 2023 will put them to the test. Their non-conference is far from a “warmup” to begin their season. Utah will host Florida to begin the season only to travel to Baylor the following week for the final time as non-conference opponents. For Pac-12 play, the Utes have a tough road schedule as they travel to Oregon State, USC, Washington, and Arizona. All capable of beating the Utes on the right day. In addition, Utah will host Oregon in what could very well be a decisive game as to who goes to the Pac-12 Championship at the end of the season.
For 2023, I would love to see Utah pull off 3 straight. However, I think the competition is just too high for the Pac-12 for the Utes to prevail for a third straight year. I see Utah finishing the regular season with a 10–2 record that would be enough to keep them from the Pac-12 Championship game with a head to head loss vs. Washington. I see the Utes dropping games at USC and at Washington. A favorable home schedule will have Utah run the table at home but they will have to be an “at-large” bid come the post-season.
