Last New Year’s Day, it seemed as if half of the state of Utah was in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl. Although Utah lost the game to Ohio State 48-45, it was an unforgettable experience. Utah football reached its greatest college football odds moment. Now, the Utah program is confused, though through no fault of its own. In July, the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins announced they would leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten Conference in 2025. That brings the question if the Pac-12 can survive. And where does Utah fit?
Utah Utes Future Odds at SBG
| Prop | Odds |
|---|---|
| Odds to Win National Championship | +5300 |
| Odds to Win Conference Championship | +240 |
| Over/Under Win Total | 8.5 |
2022 Utah Utes Build on a New History
In sum, the Utah Utes have never won an offshore betting national championship. But they boast 25 conference titles in their history. Also, Utah has posted double-digit win seasons in their last two fully scheduled campaigns. Since 2008, Whittingham has had six double-digit win seasons. And he led Utah to a national ranking of 2nd that year. Whittingham is a former national coach of the year and a 2-time Pac-12 coach of the year.
Previously head coach Ron McBride was the first consistent winner at Utah. McBride put Utah in six bowl games during his tenure from 1990 through 2002. He led Utah to a final national ranking of 10th in 1994. Of course, Urban Meyer coached only two years at Utah. But he led a 12-0 season in 2004 and a final national ranking of 4th.
2022 Utah Utes – SBG Odds Overview
Utah was said to be negotiating to join the Big 12 Conference. Additionally, other Pac-12 schools such as Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Stanford, Cal, Oregon, and Washington were shopping too. Instead of a focus on the 2022 season and defending their title, Utah was in survival mode.
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham is the perfect example of college football irony. Cause by Whittingham being an alum and former player with the BYU Cougars. He has become the GOAT of Utah Utes head coaches. Of course, Utah and BYU are hated arch-rivals. Their annual game was known as the “Holy War.” A series that Whittingham held the upper hand in. Sadly, the new College football betting odds dynamics marked the end of that rivalry in 2022.
Whittingham transformed Utah from the Mountain West Conference to the Pac-12 Conference. Last year the Utes won their first Pac-12 championship. Their reward was a berth in the Rose Bowl.
Last season’s 10-win campaign is history. But many of the key producers from that run are back in 2022. Thus, there is a healthy dose of optimism that Utah can accomplish those feats again, if not more.
Cameron Rising became the full-time starter in Week 4 of 2021. The Utes went 9–2 with Rising under center. Overall, he threw for 2,493 yards and 20 touchdowns against just five interceptions. While completing 63.8 percent of his passes. Five of Utah’s top six pass-catchers from 2021 are again at Rising’s disposal. Running back Tavion Thomas finished with 1,108 yards and 21 touchdowns. Yet he turned down the NFL for one more go-around with Utah.
There has been considerable hype around Utah based on last season and who is coming back. If the defense can tighten up, the Utes are a legitimate favorite to win the Pac-12 again.