Utah football: Realistic expectations for the Utes in 2023

Kyle Whittingham is consistently one of the most overlooked head coaches in the nation. The Utah football coach has been one of the best since he was hired back in 2005.

In fact, he’s compiled a 154-74 overall record and he’s won back-to-back Pac-12 titles. His 95-57 record in conference play is also quite impressive. Yet he never really gets the respect he deserves outside of being pursued by Tennessee to be the Vols’ head coach back in 2010.

Whittingham will be bringing back a really solid team in 2023, led by star quarterback Cameron Rising who has been the starter for the last two conference title seasons.

Tavion Thomas is gone but there’s a ton of running back talent on the team and Dalton Kincaid is also moving on to the NFL. Defensively, the Utes should be solid again despite losing Clark Phillips III to the NFL as one of the top cornerback prospects in the class.

Expectations are rather high heading into 2023.

Realistic expectations for Utah football in 2023

Rising’s return is already a boost to this offense and I love what Ja’Quinden Jackson brings to the table in the backfield, averaging 6.8 yards per carry last year.

Losing Kincaid is going to hurt the passing game a little, but Utah brings in Indiana transfer Emery Simmons along with four-star wideout Mikey Matthews to add depth to the receiving corps. On top of those two, Devaughn Vele and Money Parks both return and could lead the pass-catchers along with Brant Kuithe who could help replace Kincaid.

But looking at the schedule, things aren’t going to be easy for the Utes, especially in non-conference play.

I think the Utesh begin the season with a revenge win at home over Florida, lose at Baylor, and end non-conference play with a win over Weber State. They’ll win the next three games over UCLA, at Oregon State, and against Cal before facing USC. I think the Trojans get that win in Los Angeles to drop the Utes to 5-2 on the year.

Utah will bounce back to beat Oregon at home and then Arizona State to improve to 7-2 before losing at Washington and then winning the final two games.

A 9-3 record is realistic. A 10-2 or 11-1 record is possible if they can steal a win at Baylor, at USC, or at Washington. Worst-case scenario for the Utes would have to be somewhere in the 8-4 range. Do not be shocked if Utah is back in the Pac-12 title game for a third straight year.