The 2024 college football season kicks off Saturday, August 24. Nate Jacobson and Ben Wittenstein preview the major conferences with their predictions and best bets.
Which team is the best bet to win the conference?
Nate’s pick — Utah to win the Big 12 (+320, DraftKings)
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I’m expecting a very smooth transition from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 for Utah. It all starts with the return of 25-year-old quarterback Cameron Rising, who sat out the entire 2023 season after tearing his ACL in the 2023 Rose Bowl. In seasons where Rising started a majority of the games, Utah won the Pac-12 in 2021 and 2022.
Utah has a solid defense, and head coach Kyle Whittingham consistently gets the most out of the talent on his roster. The Utes also have one of the best home-field advantages in the country. Going undefeated at home should be enough to finish in the top two of the Big 12 standings and earn a trip to the conference title game.
I also have questions about some of the other conference contenders. Kansas State has a true sophomore quarterback in Avery Johnson, who could have a high ceiling but figures to experience some growing pains in his first season as the starter. Kansas is a team I’m selling. Arizona has a tough schedule with trips to Kansas State and Utah in September and will regress with a new head coach after greatly overachieving last season under Jedd Fisch.
Ben’s pick — Utah to win the Big 12 (+320, DraftKings)
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In my most extreme Dom Toretto voice: “One last ride.”
I see the pieces coming together for a fast and furious start by the Utes. After spending 2023 recovering from injury, QB Cameron Rising is ready to take not only the Big 12 but also the country by storm in his final college season. On top of Rising’s return, Utah also welcomes back his top target, tight end Brant Kuithe.
Additionally, the Utes’ schedule couldn’t be more favorable. Out of the six road games, I'm really only uncertain about one date: September 21 at Oklahoma State. Other than that, Utah avoids trips to BYU, West Virginia and Kansas State. The Utes don’t even leave the state of Utah until their showdown with the Cowboys in Stillwater.
For a team that returns one of the best QBs in the nation and has a highly favorable schedule, Utah seems like a solid bet to win the conference.