The Utah Utes have been major players in the Pac-12 seven of the last eight years, posting at least nine wins in every complete season but one.
They had also made it to three conference championships, falling short each time- until last season.
The Utes finally climbed that mountain, cruising to their second dominant win over the second-best team in the conference, Oregon, with the final being 38-10.
The season ended on a sour note as they lost one of the most memorable games in recent seasons, falling to Ohio State 48-45 in the Rose Bowl. It was a game they led by two touchdowns, at 14-0, 21-7, 28-14 and 35-21.
Known for producing excellence at running the ball, at offensive line and defensive line, last year, they added new wrinkles to the passing game, to make them a true threat every time they had the ball.
Add it all up and they scored 36 PPG and averaged 431 YPG while finishing eighth in the nation at converting third downs.
This year, breakout QB Cameron Rising returns to lead the way and so does most of the offensive line. He’ll also have his leading running back, receiver and touchdown maker in the fold. To that core, they’ll welcome a young, but dynamic receiving corps.
Ohio State might have exposed the defense, but they were otherwise among the best in the nation up to that point, both at stopping the pass and the rush. Many of the same pieces will be back, although the loss of Devin Lloyd -the leader of the D- hurts. Getting Mohamoud Diabate to transfer from Florida was a big deal as he was a borderline star for the Gators.
Otherwise, many of the team’s best defensive players will also be back to try and take the team to the next level.
2022 Utah Utes NCAA Football Futures Odds
- Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 60/1
- Odds to win the 2022 Pac-12 Conferences: +225
- 2022 Regular Season Win Total: Over 9 (-165)
- Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes +425 | No -700
- 2022 Heisman Contenders: Cameron Rising +8000
- Official website: utahutes.com
- Twitter Account : @Utah_Football
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 60/1
Last year, the team lost two of its first three games, to BYU and San Diego State as it took a little while for the offense and the run defense to get going. This year, they start their season in the swamp at Florida in September, so no easy task.
Win that one though and they’ll be on the national radar.
It helps that Rising has a full season under his belt, along with all the talented parts around him. At these odds, the Utes are a tantalizing underdog pick.
The Verdict: Worth a small wager
Odds to win the 2022 Big 10 Conference: +225
Oregon, USC and Utah all figure to be in a dogfight to win the Pac-12 this year. It’s a true toss-up. What you have to like about Utah’s chances is that when their two leading tight ends and their leading rusher had the option to try their hand at the NFL, they opted for one more year of college.
They know the amount of talent on the squad and want one more shot at glory. Winning another Pac-12 would also help their draft stock.
The Verdict: Worth a wager
2022 Regular Season Win Total: Over 9 (-165)
The loss of Lloyd and fellow defensive stalwart Nephi Sewell to the NFL means the team might be a little bit worse on paper to start the year. But they have the coaching and the depth in place to find replacements.
Several of their biggest games are on the road, including Florida, UCLA and Oregon. They also get USC at home the week after the game against the Bruins, so the schedule does them few favors.
The Utes do get a chance to avenge their loss to San Diego State and Oregon State and they will both be at home in week three and five respectively.
The opening five games are at Florida, versus Southern Utah and San Diego State, at Arizona State, versus Oregon State. They’ll be favored in each of those games and given the expectations, a 5-0 start is a solid bet.
That gives them a cushion to get to ten wins even if they lose to USC and Oregon.
The Verdict: Over is worth the bet
Odds to Make the Playoffs: Yes +425 | No -700
With an improved Pac-12 and that opening date at Florida, if they win the conference and their opener, they have a decent shot. They don’t need to be perfect. One loss should still get them into the playoff mix. This team is experienced and talented at all levels of the offense and defense. They might not be a favorite, but they aren’t far off.
The Verdict: Worth a small bet
2022 Heisman Contenders: Cameron Rising +8000
Rising should continue to rise in his abilities and stats this year. He was excellent once he took over in week four last season, throwing for nearly 2,500 yards, 20 TDs and just 5 INTs. He also pitched in 500 yards and 6 TDs on the ground, but he’s also a notch below the leaders of the pack.
The Verdict: Skip it
Odds According to Bovada as of August, 2022
Utah Utes 2022 Schedule
| SEASON | |||
| Date | Time | Opponent | TV |
| 3-Sep | 7:00 p.m. | at Florida* | ESPN |
| 10-Sep | 1:30 p.m. | Southern Utah* | P12N |
| 17-Sep | 10:00 p.m. | San Diego State* | ESPN2 |
| 24-Sep | at Arizona State | ||
| 1-Oct | Oregon State | ||
| 8-Oct | at UCLA | ||
| 15-Oct | USC | ||
| 27-Oct | 8:00 p.m. | at Washington State | FS1 |
| 5-Nov | Arizona | ||
| 12-Nov | Stanford | ||
| 19-Nov | at Oregon | ||
| 26-Nov | at Colorado | ||
Home stadium: Rice–Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
*Non-conference game – All times are in Eastern time
Bet on the Utah Utes 2022 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
