Almost anyone that you ask ahead of the 2024 season would mention Utah in a discussion of the teams who could win the Big 12.
The Big 12 Media Preseason Poll has them listed as the favorite to win the league, and the majority of preview magazines are touting them as the team to beat as well.
However, you don’t hear anyone calling the Utes legitimate national title contenders; That is, unless you’re listening to Crain and Co.
In a recent episode of the Daily Wire’s most popular sports show, Crain and Co. host Jake Crain not only likes Utah’s upside when it comes to winning the Big 12 in its first season, but he also thinks the Utes are a legitimate threat to make the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
“This Utah team…The two years that [Cam Rising] has been healthy, they won the [Pac-12] conference,” Crain said. “Brant Kuithe is coming back, they’re entering the Big 12 this first year…
“Utah, to me, is dangerous. Like sneak up and make the final four and get to the national championship game, dangerous.”
Whether you call this a hot take or not, there is certainly some truth to what Crain is saying here. The last two times that we’ve seen Utah with Cam Rising healthy, they won the Pac-12 and went through Oregon to do it.
There’s not many teams out there that can match the Utes in terms of mental fortitude and preparedenss under Kyle Whittingham, so it honestly wouldn’t be all that surprising to see the Utes make some noise if they were to get into the 12-team playoff.
What do you think? Is Utah a legitimate National Title contender, or is this just noise? Hop in the forums and let us know!
