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The Utah Utes are the defending Pac-12 champions and veteran head coach Kyle Wittingham returns 14 starters in 2022 as Utah looks to repeat. Since the Pac-12 went to two divisions, only two teams – Utah and USC – have won the conference championship from the South.
The Utes are the favorite to win the conference again despite the coaching change at USC. The Utes were extremely well-balanced last year with an offense that was 14th in scoring (36.1 ppg) and a defense that was 35th (22.6).
Should Utah be able to have similar success in 2022, it is likely the Utes will be competing for a Pac-12 title once again.
Utah Utes Regular Season Win Total Betting Lines
OVER 9 (-125)
UNDER 9 (-105)
Last Season
Utah started last season with an uncharacteristic 1-2 record losing to BYU and San Diego State (in 3 OTs). They won eight of their next nine games to win the Pac-12 South and earn a slot in the conference title game. The Utes, who had pounded Oregon just a few weeks prior, did so once again 38-10 to win the Pac-12.
As mentioned, the offense was outstanding and balanced. They finished 13th in the country in rushing led by RB Tavion Thomas (204-1108-21TD) and QB Cameron Rising really came into his own after taking over the starting job.
The defense was equally good ranking 19th against the run allowing 119.4 yards per game. In their last five regular season games, Utah allowed more than 13 points just once.
Utes Key Losses Heading Into 2022
The biggest loss for the Utes is on defense where LB Devin Lloyd was a first-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lloyd’s running mate Nephi Sewell also opted for the NFL leaving the Utes defense with some holes.
Even so, Utah returns the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in DT Junior Tafuna. There is also BYU transfer Devin Kaufusi (6-7, 288) and former All-American and NFL star Luther Elliss returns to his alma mater to coach the defensive line.
2022 Utah Utes Team Preview
Rising, who completed 204-of-320 passes last season, is back at quarterback. He is calm, cool, and doesn’t make many mistakes. He threw 20 touchdowns last year and only five interceptions. He and Thomas were both First Team All-Pac 12 selections.
Thomas (6-2, 238) averaged 5.4 yards per carry and his backup T.J. Pledger added 694 yards (6.7 per carry). Utah returns two starting tight ends, a wide receiver, and three of five offensive linemen.
2022 Utah Football Schedule
Utah opens the season at Florida, playing an SEC team for the first time since 1984. The Utes get a gimme in Week 2 with FCS Southern Utah at home before another date with San Diego State.
The Pac-12 schedule opens with Arizona State. That game will be important as it will be a prelude of what is to come. Oregon is once again right there with Utah as a contender to win the conference and maybe even get a sniff of the College Football Playoff.
There is a lot of buzz surrounding USC with new head coach Lincoln Riley and UCLA can’t be counted out with Chip Kelly slowly righting that ship. Still, the Pac-12 is the weakest of all Power 5 conferences.
2022 Utes Regular Season Win Total Prediction
The trip to Florida will be difficult. The other big roadblock is in late November at Oregon. The Utes get USC at home and Utah should walk over the rest of the Pac-12 schedule.
The big difference for Utah is a defense that will reload and continue to be one of the best not just in the Pac-12, but also in the nation. That defense will help lead Utah to another double-digit win season.
PICK: UTAH OVER 9 (-125)
Check out our 2022 Clemson win total pick and 2022 Oklahoma State win total pick.
