Utah football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2023

4 of 6

Oct 15, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws the ball away while pressured by Utah Utes defensive end Connor O’Toole (81) in the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports /

This is the game that I am looking forward to on the Utes’ 2023 schedule. A year ago, Utah did the unthinkable and beat the Lincoln Riley-led Trojans twice to crush their playoff hopes and shock just about everyone who followed the Pac-12.

USC looked like it was destined to win the Pac-12 and even made the playoff but Cameron Rising and the Utes had other ideas. They beat USC by one in Salt Lake City and then blew the doors off the Trojans in the Pac-12 title game.

Unfortunately for the Utes, I think Caleb Williams will exact some revenge here as that explosive offense will be too much for Utah in Los Angeles.

Prediction: Loss (5-2, 3-1)

How do you follow up a game against who I think will be the Pac-12’s best team next season? By facing another top contender the next week.

Bo Nix is back to prove that last season was no fluke and the Ducks will be back among the conference’s top teams thanks to the up-and-coming Dan Lanning at head coach. He’s going to be a star in the coaching ranks for years to come.

But Utah will find a way to shake off the crushing USC loss to beat a good Oregon team in Rice-Eccles.

Prediction: Win (6-2, 4-1)

Home/Utah Utes