I've modified a response I typed up on another thread and pasted it here, but Utah has a LOT of turnover from last year's team that I don't think is fully being addressed. Utah dosn't have the "reload" type talent that a Bama or Georgia, USC or even to a lesser degree Washington or Oregon has... they need kids there for a few years to grow into the system

Utah had a LOT of experience returning for 2023 (other than QB) which is why they struggled cause they couldn't score points, but their defense did well.

Personally, I feel they were much more talented last season across the board than they will be going into fall (they had what, 4 or 5 draft picks back in April?)

Yes, Rising is back. But who knows if he will be same player he was pre-injury. One of his best assets was his mobility. I bet he's playing all season with a heavy knee brace which may take away some of his dynamic away.

Also, he hasnt played with any of the current receivers. For this reason I don't think Utah is going to be as good as everything believes. I think they do have talent but to talk about playoff or conf championship is a bit much.

Here are a few other things to consider:

24 Players transferred OUT of their program, nearly 1/3 of their scholarship players.

Of those 24, 9 transferred to a P4 school, 8 to G5 or lower and 7 have not announced or not been picked up

Four of those that transferred our were 4* players that were significant contributors or expected to play/start at some point:
- Ja'Quinden Jackson (RB1 in '23)
- Mikey Matthews WR2
- Nate Johnson (QB didnt work out, but he ran a 10.3 100M in HS and was expected to contribute somehow)
- Chris Curry (RB out of FL still waiting for his role to expand)

2 of top 3 receivers gone
RB1, gone
12 sack edge rusher, gone
Both starting safety's, gone
Will be replacing 3 starting O-linemen
I believe their entire secondary CB/Safety's will all be new, and in the pass happy B12, they will likely get burned early as they settle into their new starting roles

Yes, they have picked up some transfer portal guys trying to plug holes of multi year starters... but most that I can tell, don't have much actual game experience, meaning, they're not going to get plugged in and immediately contribute.

For this reason, I believe they will trip up a few times early in the season (OK State, Arizona and TCU) as all the new personnel are trying to gel.

Here is my win loss prediction for Utah in '24

vs So. Utah - W
vs Baylor - W
@ UT State - W
@ OK State - L
vs Arizona - L (I think Fifita lights up their fresh, new secondary)
@ ASU - W
vs TCU - L (I think TCU will have a chip on their shoulder following last season)
@ Houston - W
vs BYU - L (obviously, I bet Rising is injured at this point and they might be in disarray)
@ Colorado - L
vs Iowa St - W (if Rising is injured, could be an L)
@ UCF - L (I think UCF is going to become very good, their recruiting class was REALLY good this past cycle and Utah stumbles at the finish line in Orlando)

6-6 ...and a nice healthy serving of humble pie first season in the "Truck Stop Conference"