Utah 2025 College Football Preview/ Betting insights

View from afar: Utah Utes 2025

The Utah Utes entered 2024 as a team most looked at as the next team to dominate the Big 12 landscape for years to come. The outcome was a far cry from the recent success the former Pac-12 contender had experienced, and 2025 sets up as an exciting year in Salt Lake City. Whittingham is still at the helm despite the head coach in waiting, Scalley, who is still running the defense. A significant change coming to the program will be Beck coming over from New Mexico as the offense coordinator. Beck also brings over live wire QB Dampier with him; his dual threat ability will look to bring this offense back to life. Going 5-7 in '24 was a tough pill to swallow for fans, but more so, the QB play was disastrous at times and made Utah a tough watch. A close and controversial loss to BYU showed this team can still drag you into the mud as the defense remains the calling card.

Recruiting class rank:' 24:12th in Big 12 '25: 6th in Big 12- We love seeing a 6-place jump for the Utes, including 4-star local talent Polu.

Transfer portal rank: 11th in the Big 12. Major additions: Dampier QB UNM, Parker RB Wash St, Tia WR Utah St

Key losses: Calhoun CB to Bama, Tanuvasa DL to BYU. You hate to lose a DL to your biggest rival, especially at a position you are already thin at. Overall, I think Utah is a developmental program, so the ranking is not a major concern.

Roster intrigue: QB - Dampier, RB - Parker, Oline - Fano, Togiai

Dampier comes in after almost going for 4,000 all-purpose yards last season. He will be a significant threat to Big 12 defenses. Parker is in from Washington State. Fano graded out the best tackle in the country last year, according to PFF, and Togiai graded out the 6th best returning guard. O line play could be serious.

Defense: Snowden (CB) Johnson (S). Utah will need to rely on continuity on the back end to make a Big 12 contention push. This D line looks thin, but Utah has been a defensive factory lately, so let's see if they can find talent from within to bolster the D line.

Statistical pulse: Passing offense graded out dead last in the Big 12 last season. Run game graded out second bottom last season. Coverage graded out 4th in Big 12 last season and return a lot in the secondary.

2025 Schedule: At UCLA to open the season will be a huge pulse check for both Utah and the Bruins, it might be good to get Nico early as he is still adjusting to his offense. I love how Utah gets Tech, ASU, and K-State at home. At BYU, Baylor, and Kansas could be tricky road tests no question, so many toss ups in this conference.

Prediction: There are specific units in College Football that, year after year, you can rely on them. Utah's defense is one of those units. There are certainly question marks this season in the personal department especially on the line, but you have to give Whittingham and co the benefit of the doubt, especially with the step the offense could take. I love the Dampier add, and a few other UNM transfers come along with Beck. This makes me think Utah will push to contend for the Big 12 this season. I see a 11-1 season in coming for the Utes, with only 1 loss to Baylor on the road. This team avenges last year's holy war loss and makes a run to the Big 12 title game.

Actionable to consider: Utah over 7.5 wins (-155), Dampier Heisman (+6000), Team to win 10+ (DK +350) @BYU +2.5

I love Utah over 7.5 wins; the Big 12 title odds have come in quite a lot, so I would stay away. Watch that UCLA vs. Utah game closely. If UCLA gets a win over Utah while they are getting up and running, look to bet Utah to win the Big 12. Lastly, give me the points vs BYU. Whittingham will put everything into getting that win after last year's madness, I also like how BYU will have played 4 games without a bye previous to the rivalry, while Utah will have only 1 game of wear and tear.