Utah's best P5 record was '19 & the P12 was one of the worst P5 conferences in the short history of P5s that yr(as was Utah's opponents records). 7 of their 12 reg season opponents finished sub .500 & the best record of any team they beat lost 5 gmst(8-5). Followed by their 3 and 4 TD blowout losses in the CC & bowl gm (another 5 loss team, Tx). Utah's second best reg season record was '15 & still 5 opponents finished sub .500 & another 2 required a Bowl win to exceed .500 that yr.
As I mentioned in my original post on this, I believe Utah stands a very decent chance at losing 3 regular season gms & and then only a CC or bowl W get them past 9 wins. And KW has last his last 5 bowl games.
I think Utah stands a very good chance to make the CC game. I just I feel this yrs B12 will be, @ least marginally, better than any of their 10 win P12 seasons.
My predicted 3 reg season losses; Oklahoma State(on road) &/or Az(Az has a bye before Utah), Iowa State and/or TCU(they will be more '22 than '23 like) & BYU(have to believe in my Cougars & it's a rivalry).
And if there's 3 reg season losses, Utah has lost their last 5 bowl gms...
I don't doubt your comment about Utah fans not being happy with a 9 win season. But your fan base might be even more delusional than ours;).