Now, let's check in on the local media hacks. 

Josh Furlong

There's a loaded receiver and tight end room with high expectations, and a running back room looking for a leader — Whittingham identified Micah Bernard as the Day 1 leader — and then an offensive line looking to solidify its depth behind an expected starting five that has gotten several reps together.

Defensively, it's trying to find playing time for all the talent on the line that is finally healthy, and a linebacker corps that will continue to call on Karene Reid and Lander Barton, while trying to find more contributors like Sione Fotu.Beyond the QB battle, it's the continued development of every other position on the team.

And then in the secondary, it's finding players that can be trusted when the bright lights come on. Cornerback coach Sharrieff Shah said he has confidence in about 2.5 players because they've shown it consistently in games, but there's more that need to step up and fill that depth.

https://www.ksl.com/article/51103567/ludwig-very-confident-in-the-trajectory-of-utahs-offense-as-camp-shifts-to-game-prep

Coming into the 2024 season — a season that kicks off in just over a week against Southern Utah — the Utes are in a much different position. Sure, Rising is healthy and expected to lead the offense again, but there's complete faith in the assets and arsenal at offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig's disposal.

"I am very confident in the trajectory of the offense right now," Ludwig said. "In no way, shape or form are we comfortable with where we are, but I've seen major improvements all across the board from each position group. ... We've got a lot of work to do, but again, confident in what I'm seeing on the practice field right now."
That should be a breath of fresh air for anyone that cares about Utah football.

Utah has its starting QB, as well as a much-improved QB2 that Utah feels confident turning the offense over to should they need to, in addition to improved talent and depth all around the offense. And no major injuries going into the season.
"I think the offensive line is athletic, is smart, and we have excellent depth," Ludwig said. "They've got good length, so very pleased with where they are, with their growth under the leadership of Jim Harding. I think it has a chance to be an elite group."

Utah has a good problem on their hands, and that's how to get all six of their starting-caliber tight ends on the field. 
The receiving corps at Utah is arguably the best it's ever been — from top to bottom — and there's optimism the offense will pass the ball more to highlight these players (as well as the tight ends).

It's an offense that has received praise since spring after Utah added proven playmakers at wide receiver, have arguably its deepest and most talented tight end room, an offensive line that is experienced, and a running back room that could prove to be a multi-faceted weapon to what is expected to be a diverse system.

"We feel like we've got a roster that's equipped to compete right away," he said. "Obviously, the media feels the same way as far as being picked the favorite. I think that's a show of respect to our players and coaches that have done a great job competing through the years that the media has selected us No. 1.

Utah feels like it has the roster to compete at the highest level of the Big 12, with Whittingham and the players not shy about having playoff aspirations. If anything, Whittingham embraces those aspirations more, believing that the system is better catered to what will allow his team to qualify for the new 12-team playoff.

Furlong trying to spike the ball on someone talking about utah's first couple conference losses

Furlong being the rumormonger for Cam

Steve Bartle

Few teams in the country boast as much experience as Utah does in 2024. In the two-deep, Utah has a combined 468 starts among the offensive and defensive units. That’s a lot of football experience in the two-deep and that will benefit Utah this season.

This group also features 20 layers who were on the roster for both of Utah’s Pac-12 Championship wins in ’21 and ’22. Those 20 players specifically, still have one big accomplishment on the table- a College Football Playoff birth, and that will certainly be a big motivation this season.
Not only that but a handful of those 20 come from valuable positions like quarterback, defensive tackle, and linebacker. So Utah not only has experience on the roster, they have it where it matters most.

https://kslsports.com/523270/utah-football-offensive-line-confidence-level

“Got a lot of confidence in the whole group- have a lot of confidence in the whole trajectory of the entire offense- but we all know that’s the group that makes or breaks the whole thing,” Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said of the offensive line.

https://kslsports.com/522784/through-two-weeks-of-camp-here-are-five-things-im-confident-in-with-utah-football/

Whether he is named the backup or not matters little. There has been enough positive buzz around Wilson that Utah fans should have confidence in him. He’s competed quite well and has raised optimism in both his current status and future.

Patrick Kinahan

Starting the season with a bullseye is nothing new for Utah, which was tabbed as the favorite multiple times in the Pac-12. And as with the previous lofty expectations, the Utes appreciate the respect but will use the Big 12 media days at Allegiant Stadium to emphasize preseason polls are meaningless.

Note: utah was picked to win the pac12 in 2019 and 2022. PK seems to allude to it being a more regular occurrence. 

Utah's schedule is ranked 10th in the conference, according to the updated FBS rankings by collegefootballnetwork.com. Overall, including the three nonconference games, the schedule comes in at 45th.

After starting the conference season against Oklahoma State (away) and Arizona (home), which are two of the other four teams that got first-place votes, the Utes play only one team (Iowa State) that had a winning record in conference play last season.
They also get to clean up on Houston and Arizona State, the bottom two teams in the preseason poll, respectively. The Utes crushed ASU to the point last season that coaches openly talked of feeling sorry for all the injuries the Sun Devils suffered during Kenny Dillingham's rookie year as a head coach.

Without question, crazy as it sounds, the standard for Utah Football this season is the highest ever in program history.
Boldy proclaimed, the new playoff format that begins this season makes this strong statement accurate. For contending teams, which includes the Utes, it’s the playoffs or bust.
There’s no gray area this time around. Either the Utes are one of the 12 teams in the tournament, or the season goes down as a disappointment.

1280 the Zone "60 In 60" 

This one is a joke all around. Rising ranked #1 and utah gets the top 4; 6 of the top 10. 

Gordon Monson

Alex Markham

Tony Jones

Josh Newman

In response to Spencer Linton's comments in the summer that the expectations around utah could hurt them