USC Trojans QB Caleb Williams runs with the ball whereas taking part in the Utah Utes throughout the Pac-12 Championship on the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. The Utes gained 47-24. USC shall be Utah’s hardest recreation in 2023. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
Although convention realignment is on the forefront of faculty athletics in the mean time, the school soccer season begins in somewhat over a month.
The final season within the Pac-12 because it stands at the moment — USC, UCLA and Colorado will depart after the season — is shaping as much as be one for the ages.
USC, Washington, Utah, Oregon and Oregon State all have a very good probability on the Pac-12 title, and the quantity of quarterback expertise within the league could also be at an all-time excessive. Utah’s Cameron Rising, USC’s Caleb Williams, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix have all confirmed they'll lead electrical passing assaults within the Pac-12. Add in Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Oregon State’s DJ Uiagalelei, and that is going to be a enjoyable season to observe.
Utah performs one among its hardest schedules thus far, competing towards each group projected to complete within the high six of the Pac-12.
As Utah tries to three-peat, here's a breakdown of the schedule, ranked from hardest to best.
1. At USC
Anticipate yet one more traditional in what's going to most likely be the final regular-season matchup between these two groups for a very long time. Utah lastly gained on the Coliseum in 2021, beating USC 42-26. Final season, the Utes defeated the Trojans twice — as soon as at house in a 43-42 shootout and the second time in a 47-24 blowout in Las Vegas to clinch the Pac-12 championship.
The Trojans are picked by many within the media to win the Pac-12 this yr and can seemingly debut within the High 10 within the first Related Press ballot.
USC could have one of many nation’s high offenses, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2022 Hesiman Trophy winner and projected 2024 NFL Draft No. 1 draft decide. We all know Lincoln Riley’s offense shall be phenomenal, however what sunk the Trojans two occasions final yr towards Utah was their porous protection.
USC, which retained defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, misplaced cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to the NFL, however made some upgrades by way of the switch portal — Georgia switch linebacker Bear Alexander, Oklahoma State linebacker Mason Cobb and Arizona defensive lineman Anthony Lucas.
If the Trojans’ protection may be common and the offense lives as much as the hype, USC may very well be a Faculty Soccer Playoff contender. The Oct. 21 recreation vs. Utah is circled as one of many video games to observe within the Pac-12 this season.
Will probably be a troublesome activity for the Utes to go on the highway and knock off the Trojans.
2. At Washington
After closing the season with seven straight wins, together with a win at Oregon and an Alamo Bowl victory over Texas, the Huskies completed 11-2, however missed out on the Pac-12 championship recreation as a result of Utah successful a four-step tiebreaker that despatched the Utes to the title recreation.
With quarterback Michael Penix Jr. operating the offense, the Huskies could have a potent passing assault. Washington averaged 39.7 factors per recreation final season, with Penix Jr. throwing for 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Add in huge receivers Rome Odunze (1,145 yards, seven touchdowns) and Jalen McMillan (1,098 yards and 9 TDs) and the Huskies’ offense shall be buzzing.
Like USC, the Huskies should enhance their protection and added Oklahoma State switch cornerback Jabbar Muhammad and Oregon cornerback Darren Barkins this offseason.
The Nov. 11 recreation in Seattle may have massive implications.
3. Vs. Oregon
The Geese have had the Utes’ quantity as a rule since Utah joined the Pac-12. 2021 bucked the pattern, as Utah trounced the No. 3 Geese 38-7 at house, then beat them a pair weeks later to win this system’s first Pac-12 championship.
Final season, a loss to the Geese in November threatened to derail Utah’s season. This stretch of Utah’s schedule — at USC, vs. Oregon, vs. Arizona State and at Washington, will outline the season.
Quarterback Bo Nix, who threw for 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2022, is again for the Geese. With Williams, Penix Jr., Cameron Rising and Nix within the combine within the Pac-12, the league has loads of expertise on the quarterback place.
With the 2 hardest checks of the season approaching the highway, this would be the premier house recreation for the Utes.
4. At Oregon State
Head coach Jonathan Smith has catapulted the Beavers into the nationwide dialog. The Beavers completed No. 17 within the closing AP ballot of the season after ending 10-3 general and capping their season off with a bowl win towards Florida.
Clemson switch DJ Uiagalelei may inject life into Oregon State’s passing assault, and the Beavers return a wonderful run recreation. The vast majority of the Beavers’ offensive line is again and operating again Damien Martinez, who rushed for 982 yards and 7 touchdowns and a freshman, and Deshaun Fenwick, who rushed for 553 yards and 7 touchdowns, will make sure that the Beavers’ run recreation is in high form.
The Beavers had one of many high defenses within the Pac-12 final season, and although cornerbacks Rejzohn Wright and Alex Austin have been drafted and high linebacker Omar Speights transferred, Oregon State’s protection must be stable once more.
5. At Baylor
Baylor is projected to complete in the midst of the pack within the Massive 12 this season by many consultants, however it is going to be Utah’s first highway take a look at of the season, coming in simply the second recreation of the yr.
Baylor opens up with Texas State, so it's going to have a variety of time to give attention to Utah, very like Florida within the season opener a yr in the past.
The Bears shall be attempting to rebound from final yr’s 6-7 file. Quarterback Blake Shapen might want to take steps ahead and they're going to have a brand new offensive line, that includes Clark Barrington of BYU, however operating again Richard Reese, who ran for 972 yards and 14 touchdowns final season, and Qualan Jones are good backs.
If this recreation was at Rice-Eccles Stadium, it might have ranked decrease within the problem scale, however it is going to be a real take a look at for the Utes of their first highway recreation of 2023.
6. Vs. UCLA
The Bruins handed the Utes their first convention loss final yr, hanging 42 on the Utes.
UCLA has their work minimize out for them on offense, having to switch Dorion Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. The Bruins will seemingly begin five-star freshman Dante Moore, who shall be aided by operating again Carson Steele and TJ Harden. Extensive receiver transfers J. Michael Sturdivant and Kyle Ford will give Moore targets.
Although UCLA’s protection wasn’t nice final yr, they return 9 starters and must be improved on that facet of the ball.
The Utes open up Pac-12 play towards the Bruins on Sep. 23.
7. Vs. Florida
Utah is trying to get revenge for the three-point loss suffered in Gainesville a season in the past.
Athletic director Mark Harlan managed to get the Gators to journey to Salt Lake Metropolis for his or her first out-of-conference true highway recreation (not at a impartial web site) since 1991, when Florida performed at Syracuse.
The revenge side, plus the rarity of seeing Florida in particular person, has this shaping as much as be a really thrilling opener for the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium
The Gators have to switch quarterback Anthony Richardson, who torched Utah a season in the past and was chosen fourth general within the 2023 NFL Draft.
Wisconsin switch quarterback Graham Mertz may very well be the Gators’ beginning quarterback when the season begins. Florida needed to rebuild its offensive line with transfers, however return operating backs Montrell Johnson Jr. (841 yards) and Trevor Entienne (719 yards). Ricky Pearsall would be the go-to receiver for the Gators.
Florida has a brand new defensive coordinator, Austin Armstrong, and a rebuilt protection — returning simply three starters from final yr. The Gators’ protection wants to enhance from final season’s struggles.
After an ACL harm within the Rose Bowl, Utah quarterback Cameron Rising’s standing remains to be up within the air for the opening recreation, and can seemingly stay that manner proper up till the opening huddle. With out Rising, this recreation turns into way more troublesome.
8. Vs. Cal
The Bears return eight starters on offense and 9 on protection from final season’s 4-8 marketing campaign, and it looks like the file goes to enhance a bit this yr, probably sending Cal bowling.
The No. 1 query mark for the Bears is offense. They should break in a brand new quarterback following the Chase Garbers’ 4 seasons in Berkley and lose their No. 1 receiver, Sturdivant. Working again Jaydn Ott, who rushed for practically 900 yards, ought to lead Cal’s offense.
The Bears’ protection is their sturdy level, highlighted by a powerful linebacker core.
Utah performs Cal for the primary time since 2019, when the Utes beat the Bears 35-0.
9. At Arizona
There was nowhere to go however up after the Wildcats went 1-17 over the 2020 and 2021 seasons earlier than attending to 5-7 final yr.
Beginning quarterback Jayden de Laura is again for an additional season after throwing for 3,685 yards, 25 touchdowns and 13 interceptions a yr in the past.
The Wildcats additionally return beginning operating again Michael Wiley, who rushed for 771 yards final season, and huge receiver Jacob Cowing is again.
On protection, Arizona is rebuilding, returning simply three defensive starters. The Wildcats added linebacker Justin Flowe from Oregon, however this unit might want to show themselves if the Wildcats hope to be bowl eligible.
10. Vs. Arizona State
After Herm Edwards’ disastrous exit at ASU, the rebuild begins for brand new head coach Kenny Dillingham — the youngest coach in school soccer at 32.
Notre Dame switch Drew Pyne will compete for the beginning quarterback job and switch operating again Cameron Skattebo, from Sacramento State, may very well be the Solar Devils’ beginning operating again.
They do have huge receiver Elijhah Badger, who led the group with 866 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2022.
On protection, Arizona State has a powerful secondary, however wants to enhance elsewhere.
11. Vs. Colorado
Coach Deion Sanders has his work minimize out for him at Colorado.
The Utes have dominated the Buffaloes for more often than not within the Pac-12 and have gained six straight within the “Rumble within the Rockies.”
Don’t anticipate that streak to alter this season within the colleges’ closing matchup as Pac-12 members, even with Sanders on the helm.
One of many worst groups in all of FBS final season, Sanders goes to want a couple of yr to show this program round.
His son, Shedeur Sanders, would be the beginning quarterback. He threw for 3,732 yards and 40 touchdowns at Jackson State final season.
After cleansing out practically your complete roster, bringing transfers in and having extra gamers switch out after spring ball, nobody is kind of certain what to anticipate out of Colorado this season.
Travis Hunter, the highest recruit in 2022, adopted Sanders from Jackson State. An outstanding expertise, Hunter can play huge receiver or cornerback. One other freshman, Dylan Edwards, may very well be a star at operating again.
Cormani McClain, the highest cornerback within the class of 2023, will make an instantaneous influence on protection. The protection, just like the offense, is totally rebuilt.
They've uncooked expertise and will make a leap to bowl eligibly if every thing goes proper this season, however there’s additionally an opportunity the Buffaloes may limp into Salt Lake Metropolis after a troublesome season.
12. Vs. Weber State
Even with coach Jay Hill on the helm main the Wildcats to FCS playoff appearances, the Wildcats haven’t come near beating Utah, shedding 41-10 and 40-17 of their final two appearances. Anticipate that pattern to proceed this season with new coach Mickey Psychological on the helm after Hill departed to turn into BYU’s defensive coordinator.