Utah Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2021
By Austin Lloyd
1. Weber State (W)
Despite the Wildcats having some relevance at their own level of the FCS, this is the most trivial verdict on the schedule. The Utes are head, shoulders, knees and toes above Weber State, as they should be. If the Cats keep it within 30 against this “rival”, that alone would be an accomplishment.
Record: 1-0
2. Brigham Young (W)
The Cougars had an outstanding 2020 season, that much is true. However, rivalry implications mean something nonetheless. The “Holy War” between these two historical foes has not been much of a war at all for Utah in the last decade.
Especially after losing the great quarterback Zach Wilson to the NFL draft this April, BYU will have a severe lack of confidence. The matchup will be competitive, as it usually is, but Utah will take this one by a score or two.
Record: 2-0
3. San Diego State (W)
Back to analyzing inferior non-conference opponents, the Aztecs will be a simple win to help ease the Utes into their conference stretch rather smoothly. SDSU will put up a good fight, but a victory by three scores or so should not be too far out of reach for Utah after a likely physical first half.
Record: 3-0
4. Washington State (W)
Wazzu has not been the same on the gridiron ever since the departure of former head coach Mike Leach. The Utes have faced off against Washington State only once following the move, and it resulted in a 45-21 trouncing in favor of the former.
It is unlikely that the Cougars will change so much in one offseason that they can turn around a disastrous affair like that. Therefore, it is safe to assume that Utah will begin their conference schedule with a convincing win.
Record: 4-0 (1-0 Pac-12)