The new-look Big 12 Confernce still has some weight when it comes to the national rankings, thanks to a new addition from the Pac-12 Conference.
The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel put Utah at No. 8 — one spot up from his last rankings — in his updated Top 25 on June 4 following the last of the high-profile transfer portal players finding a home.
Utah will be led by seventh-year quarterback Cam Rising, who is back after missing all of 2023 with an injury but led Utah to an 18-6 record over two seasons as the full-time starte rin 2021 and 2022, including a 10-3 record in 2022.
Three-time All-Pac-12 tight end Brent Kuithe is also back for a seventh season after missing all but four games in 2022 and all of 2023 with a knee injury.
Utah was one of five Big 12 teams in the Top 25 followed by No. 11 Oklahoma State, No. 13 Arizona, No. 15 Kansas State and No. 20 Kansas.
Utah opens the season against Southern Utah on Aug. 29 and opens Big 12 play at home against Baylor on Sept. 7.