“I think this program is one of the better programs in America” - Joel Klatt shows confidence in Kyle Whittingham’s Utah

Utah was one of the four Pac-12 teams that will be making a move to the Big 12 ahead of the 2024 college football season. The Utes have won two of the last three Pac-12 titles but it will be an entirely new challenge for the program as they head to a new conference next season.

Ahead of the upcoming season, Joel Klatt sees Kyle Whittingham's team as one of the brilliant programs in college football. The Fox Sports senior analyst believes the Utes will compete for the Big 12 championship in their first season in the league in 2024.

“They were 8-5 last year,” Klatt said on an episode of The Joel Klatt Show. “It’s pretty good for most teams, right? But it hasn’t been up to Utah’s standards. So, if you look at them in their recent past, that’s their worst season since 2017.

"And yet this next year, they’re gonna get Cam Rising back, they’re gonna get Brant Kuithe back. Kyle Whittingham is one of the best coaches in America. I think this program is one of the better programs in America. I’ll be pretty surprised if they are not playing for the Big 12 championship.”

Cam Rising’s return is a big boost for Utah

After missing the entire 2023 college football season, Cam Rising is set to return for Utah in the upcoming season. The quarterback suffered an ACL injury in the 2023 Rose Bowl game against Penn State and took a medical redshirt after he was unable to return for the season.

Rising returns for his seventh season in college football in 2024, which is a big boost for the Utes as they transition to the Big 12. He led the team to the conference title in his last two active seasons and will be out to do that again in the final season of eligibility.

Can Utah win the Big 12 championship in 2024?

Without a doubt, Utah will be a strong contender for the Big 12 championship in the upcoming season. The Utes boast a strong roster ahead of the 2024 season and their experience in challenging for a conference title will be highly beneficial.

The sportsbook odds currently favor the Utes to be the champion of the Big 12 in 2024. While it will be an entirely new environment, Kyle Whittingham and his team are aware of what's ahead of them and will be ready to give it all it takes.