Pete Thamel predicts Utah as winner of Big 12, No. 3 seed in College Football Playoff

Pete Thamel expects Utah to make a stunning introduction to the Big 12 in the 2024 campaign. On Wednesday, the ESPN analyst revealed his predictions for the Utes during their first season in the loaded conference.

“I’m banking on the Utah Utes to win the Big 12,” Thamel said. “Cameron Rising needs to stay healthy. If he does not stay healthy, they will not win the league. I just think it’s that simple… They need Cam Rising to stay healthy.

“You like the addition of [USC wide receiver] Dorian Singer. Damian Alford was Syracuse‘s leading receiver last year. He’s a good player. They have really honed in on their weaknesses, and they should become more strengths.”

Thamel believes Rising is the key to Utah unlocking Big 12 prosperity, and it’s understandable why. Although Rising has not played a college football game in 554 days, he is a proven leader. During his two seasons as Utah’s starting quarterback, Rising led the program to back-to-back conference championships.

Rising was particularly phenomenal in 2022, recording 3,034 yards on 249-of-385 passing (8 INT, 26 TD) while adding 77 rushes for 465 yards and six touchdowns. For his efforts, he was named an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention.

Now, Rising is healthy again with a cast of offensive talent by his side. Not to mention, Utah’s defense appears to be stellar, as well.

“This is a quintessential Utah defense,” Thamel said. “They have bangers up front. Lander Barton is one of the best linebackers in the country. They have a really high-end, back end. Zemaiah Vaughn is the star corner there, who could end up as an All-American type guy and a high draft pick.

“Junior Tafuna has played a lot of games there and been really good up front at the defensive tackle. And, I think if there’s one thing that we’ve learned to count on with Kyle Whittingham and Morgan Scalley, it’s they’re going to have a defensive-based identity.”

According to FanDuel, Utah is currently the favorite to win the Big 12 with +280 odds. Kansas State trails slightly behind with +440 odds. The Utes will kick off their 2024 campaign with a showdown against Southern Utah at 9 p.m. ET on Aug. 29.

Thamel expects the game to be the beginning of an excellent season.

“I think Utah is the safest pick to win a league,” Thamel said. “I have the most conviction about Utah winning the Big 12 over any other pick to win a league.”