I had Utah at 9-3 last year and they went 8-4.

Uncle Lou, my only complaint is that you aren't doing 4 of these every day, haha. This is some of the only off season college football content on KZfaq that is interesting to watch

I hope Brent Queeth is pretty good. We had this All-American named Brant Kuithe too. He was a stud.

Kyle Whittingham gets far less credit than he should nationally for twenty years of basically guaranteed 8+-win seasons.

10-2 is fine by me. OkSt is going to be a huge game. Start of the Battle Of The Peace Pipe

Utah fan here. Pretty good analysis. A couple things I would add is Utah brought in a few other players to surround Rising with weapons. This is the most talent he’s ever had around him. Also with recruiting Utah had a small class which is why it was ranked so low, they could’ve added a few random 3⭐️ prospects and would’ve landed in the low 40s to high 30s but it wasn’t really necessary. They were more intentional with filling specific gaps.

Love the Uncle Lou Utah content. The 2 games I worry about, OK State and UCF on the road. Utes are a noticeably worse road team (see Florida 2022, Oregon State 2023). 10-2 reg season.

I could see Utah going 12-0 win the Big 12 and get a bye in the first round playoff.

As a Michigan lifer, I really like Kyle Whittingham. If theres one thing you can count on is that his team is always going to be well disciplined, fundamentally sound, and tough in the trences. I don't GAF how much "talent" a FB team has, if those boxes are checked off then great things will be accomplished more often than not. And if those boxes are not checked off then disappointment is more likely than not.

You doing a great job as always. Keep up the good work.

Always enjoy Uncle Lou breakdowns

Good analysis, Wou! Go Utes! 🙌

Also Lou- been a subscriber since way back in the SEC TTC days. Seeing how wide your content has gone is great! Keep up the great work and love seeing content that’s not entirely just the SEC.

Okay, so this is actually insane. Whittingham and Gundy have both been around since 2005 and have the exact same amount of losses at 79. Gundy only has 4 more wins than Kyle so his win % is 0.678 instead of 0.672. Kyle took over for Urban Meyer and Gundy took over for Les Myles. If you look at their recruiting team rankings over the last 10 years on 247, this is how it shakes out: OKS = 63, 43, 36, 34, 37, 39, 34, 38, 45, 40. UU = 41, 23, 34, 33, 30, 35, 33, 35, 36, 47. Many years, they rank within 5 slots of one another. As far as on-the-field results and talent acquisition, I'm looking at near identical teams. It should be fun seeing them in the same conference playing the same opponents. They have only played each other once in 1945, which OKS (OK A&M at the time) won. They also claim the national championship in 1945 along with Army as they won their 5-team Missouri Valley Conference and beat Saint Mary's in the Sugar Bowl. Saint Mary's was quarterbacked by the first Hawaiian All-American Herman Wedemeyer, even though Hawai'i was not a state at the time. OK A&M was one of 4 undefeated teams, with Army, Alabama, and Indiana being the other three. This is the only year Indiana won the B1G, but they did not play in a bowl game and do not claim the national title. Alabama beat USC in the Rose Bowl and they also do not claim the national title. OK A&M wound up number 5 in the final AP Poll behind Army, Alabama, Navy, and Indiana but still claim the national title even though Army was ranked number 1 every week and had all the best players because of the WWII draft. Sorry for the long tangent but the link between OKS and Utah is fascinating now that they are ending up in the same conference after all this time and their coaches are basically identical.

With Utah’s recruiting class this last year was a relatively small class, if you look at average recruit ranking number it is much better than what that 59th ranking would suggest. Also Brants last name is pronounced KEY-THEE (soft th)

Idgaf what 247 says. These guys evaluate recruit lineman on both sides of the ball as good as anyone. How many NFL lineman and TE's have they produced that were ranked 389th by 247? A fuckload. Their recruiting ranking is shit bc they evaluate lineman 67 times more efficiently than 247.

I think this may be the first time I have ever come across your page. I’m only 8mins in and this is a great well informed breakdown of my Utes. As an Alumnae, I agree that these last few years have been a bit rough when it comes to recruiting. I mean it’s great that we recruit in the 30s but seem to end up in the top 15 at the end of the year, a testament to KW and his staff. But with NIL and media rights, is it possible for smaller market schools to compete when I think I read somewhere that to get a good qb it will cost $2m? Coach Saban had multiple reasons to leave, but did mention issues he had with kids thinking of what kind of money he could guarantee. How do smaller market schools, non P2 schools, compete? Anyway, thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed your breakdown.

@Uncle Lou: The tight end's name is Brant Kuithe - pronounced *Kee-thee,* NOT Queeth, which sounds too similar to Queef, LOL.

As one who sat in the old small dilapidated Rice Stadium in SLC way back in the 1970s when 5-6 was a 'good year' for Utah ... I find it impossible to consider a 9-3 or even 8-4 depending on circumstances to be anything but a successful season. After experiencing poverty it's impossible to complain about decent success.

Enjoy the content Lou makes the time go by faster and get closer to the season.

For my money, I think Whittingham is a better coach than Gundy. I believe you are right, Lou, that Whittingham squeezes every last drop from his talent, with similar recruiting classes compared to OSU (mainly 3-star, with a couple/few 4-stars). Particularly now, as I believe Utah is a better team recently, as Utah won two Pac 12 titles, in 2021 and 2022, and OSU won the Big 12 way back in 2011 under Gundy. And, I believe the Pac 12 was a higher rated conference than the Big 12 for the last 5-10 years? If any of what I stated is factually wrong, please correct me? As always, it's just my opinion, from my observations, if I had to choose I would take Whittingham as my coach, any day. Another great video, Lou!

Lou, I expect us to make the playoffs. Whittingham, Rising, Singer and Kuithe are too good. If we don't make the playoffs I will be severely disappointed. We simply have too much talent to be anything less than playoff worthy. If we don't make the playoffs it will be because someone did not live up to their full potential. The coaching staff and the players have too much talent. If everyone on Utah maximises thier potential, we will go undefeated this year. If we dont live up to our full potential, we will lose games. This is the first year since joining the P5 that we actually have the talent to go undefeated. So anything less is a disappointment. I appreciate your insight on Utah this upcoming year. You continue to be the most intelligent creator on all of KZfaq. Thanks for always being my go-to college football youtuber. As always, Go Utes!

I look forward to these every day

Great off season content Lou.

Utah will be very good this year, but absurd that OKST isn’t the 2nd odds on favorite to win B12. Pokes return their entire OL and best RB in the nation.

Thanks Lou!! Best content on youtube right here

I believe that Lou’s channel is by far the best football channel. He’s just realistic and unbiased. The big 12 is like a group of terrorists, crazy shit happens every year. A single team will not go 12-0 in the big 12. The best team will probably be 11-1 10-2 like Lou predicts here

Utah schedule is a lot easier than it was in the PAC12. I’m not surprised they’re predicted to win conference especially with the returning production.

Conference realignment is insane. I completely forgot that Utah colorado asu and Arizona are going to the big 12

Looking forward to the Ohio state video, if it’s on your list, but as always, straightforward, no bs analysis. Much appreciated lou. Btw , I need one of those shirts 😆

Uncle Lou, Cam Rising has only started for the Utes for 2 years. Both of those years they won the conference. If he stays healthy, they will win a third conference. It's the 800 pound gorilla in the room. I see them beating O State. O State last year's ratings were: Offense 108TH, Defense 125th. The Utes will get the close win in Stillwater. From there, it will be an soft schedule. I think this will be a great year for the Utes.

Mr. Buckeye here. Id take Whittingham as well. Thats if Urban didnt want to give it another go. And of course Im perfectly happy with Day.

Uncle Lou as a biased Utah fan..I think 11-1 is the only acceptable outcome

In regards to this past years recruiting for Utah, they didn't sign as many guys as they typically would have. They didn't lose many guys and they filled holes through the portal. If you look at the average rating of the recruits, this year was better than the classes of the past couple years. As I'm sure you and the rest of college football fans are aware, recruiting rankings are calculated by the total players and ratings. If you grade the class solely by the average recruit rating, Utah ranks highly in the big12.

I agree with your picks on every game. Utah will benefit from Big 12 teams having less team talent than the top of the Pac-12 had.

These prediction videos get me through my drive to work and back home. Thanks for all you do lou to keep us entertained in the offseason. Great work as always.

I agree with 10-2 for Utah I had them at 11-1

11-1 with their only loss to Oklahoma State.

Say what you want about Lou but you can't Deny he knows Ball!

Yep. I think 9-3 is the floor, I think it's just as likely as 12-0. I'm giving them 1, maybe 2 losses. If they take care of their home games, they have @okie st and @ucf. I think they only lose one of them though.

Utah 10-2 We lose at Okie St and UCF but play in the B12 championship Go Utes!

I think a lot of people are underestimating how much Utah’s offense will improve. Utah was averaging about 40 points a game in 2021 and 2022 with Cam Rising. I think Utah will average that same 40 points in the big 12. I’ve got them going 12-1 and conference champs, with a loss to one of Oklahoma State, Arizona, or UCF, but most likely Oklahoma State or UCF on the road. Aside from a Cam Rising injury, I actually think the defense is more likely to disappoint than the offense. We return most of our defense and we got damn solid transfers, but we lost most of our best defenders, including two elite safeties and one of the best edge rushers in the entire country, with nobody to (realistically) replace any of them at the same level. Our 3rd best LB also got injured before spring ball, who was actually a solid player and would have been an important depth piece. Our offensive line is relatively young and inexperienced, but they have good size and talent. It would be a concern to me, but honestly, with 3 warm up games, great TE play, and Cam Rising, they will probably be fine. Not to mention that no big 12 team has UGA, Ohio State, or Alabama level d-line play. Hell, lots of the big 12 runs the 3-3-5, so they aren’t exactly gonna be generating a lot of pressure lol.

Pretty sure that Baylor game is a non conference game which is kinda weird

I've got them at 12-0. Big 12 champs. Cam Rising coming back will instantly propel this offense.

Can’t wait to see you do Alabama and Auburn. I’m very curious to find out how both of them will do this season.

Thanks and great analysis. I hope we win more than 10 games but 10-2 is fair. By the way Kuithe is pronounced "Kee-thee", and Micah is pronounced "Mc-Kai". Go Utes!

The Big 12 is going to be the most fun conference to watch

When are you gonna ROAST my Trojans? 🤣✌️ Fight On Lou!

In terms of your question between Gundy and Whittingham, I am a Ute fan but I think the two are so close that I do not have a problem with individuals ranking Gundy over Whit. I think it is that close and you can go either way. Both remarkable coaches.

Hopefully, a Rutgers game-by-game prediction will be up sometime in the near future. I'm not a Scarlet Knights fan myself and don’t know how many are subbed to the channel or Patreon, but they will, in my opinion, be an interesting team to watch this year. There are a lot of good pieces coming back, and they’re a well-coached, fundamentally sound, hard-nosed team. As always, I appreciate your CFB coverage, Lou. Keep up the good work!

Lou! Gotta do a VT prediction vid. Would like to see where you have them stacked up after the praise you’ve given this offseason!

Uncle Lou 🐐

Love that shirt.

If Can Rising stays healthy I believe they win the Big 12 however he is more broken then Tua

Good analysis. 9 days between game 1 and game 2 is a HUGE advantage. Teams make the biggest improvement every year between games one and two. Other than record, comparing Gundy and Whittinham is apples and oranges...one is an offensive minded coach and the other is a defensive minded coach which determines organization of each program.....from recruiting to how each practice is organized.

Could you do a Top 5 best players from each conference Lou. Huge fan of the show.

Lou I feel like you are overhyping those last 4 games. I’ll admit I have some bias against Iowa St cause I just don’t like them, but I don’t think BYU, Colorado or Iowa St are hard games…I’ll eat my crow if I’m wrong though.

I agree lou with your ucf prediction I think that utah game could be a play in game for the big 12 title game

Talent acquisition has less to do with how good a recruiter a coach is and more to do with the school they are recruiting to. Saban didn't win a title at Michigan State, Meyer didn't win win one at Utah, Miles didn't win one at Ok State, Spurrier didn't win at South Carolina..... so on & so on. I can't think of a single "great coach" that won a title at a non blue blood program.

Love Lou saying how hard it is to go undefeated

I’ve clowned Colorado as much as anyone else but to be real that road game for Utah at Colorado feels like the definition of a trap game.

Looking forward to the West Virginia video there not being talked about at all same with UCF and Texas Tech

If Sherome Moore doesn't work out, I'd be excited to bring Kyle Whittingham in as our HC.

Lou, Ik no one really cares about us but can you do a UNC preview?

If the pac 12 was still around I think utah would give Oregon a good game this team has done well recent years .

Nice shirt😂😂💯

I think the Ok St game is the biggest toss up. Yes, they have a great running back, but Utah has a great running defense. Ok state had a defensive ranking in triple digits. Also which ok st team shows up, the one that list at home to south Alabama?

Do a Tennessee prediction plz

11-1 with a loss to Oklahoma State

Utah vs Baylor might be a bellwether game on “which” Cam Rising is coming back. They have Baylor at home, and although they’re not very good…they’ll be good enough to put Cam under a bit of pressure

If they lose it will be early. Every season Utah has to find itself and once it does they are extremely difficult. I have never seen injuries to the point they had last season. A healthy Rising they can compete against any team in the country.

We need an Oregon prediction soon lmao

Why do you have a “battle of the brothers” header and no “holy war” header? That’s my only critique, other than that great analysis! Go Utes!

One way i could see Utah plausibly losing to UCF, despite them being the better team, is if they've already clinched their spot in the CCG and they want to rest their starters

Do poverTy next

Go Utes!

I agree 10-2

Kyle Wittingham has an edge over Gundy. He’s the definition of doing more with less.

10-2 with losses to Oklahoma State and Central Florida

Uncle lou could you do a Penn state Prediction

10-2 with losses to Oklahoma State and UCF. Go Dawgs! Sic Em!

Utah goes 9-3 with losses to Oklahoma State, UCF, and I think Colorado upsets them at the end of the year. They will be desperate for a huge win and they will get it here.

Give WOU his theme music 🎶 😂😂

Oklahoma State is the best team in the Big 12 and will win the conference

Let’s assume that two teams in the same conference don’t play each other, have similar strength of schedule/record, and both go 10-2. One goes to the conference championship game and one doesn’t, but the one who goes loses the championship game, and the game was never in doubt. Which of the two teams should make the playoffs/have the higher seed?

I could see UCF winning the big 12. Gus might be cooking up something real big.

I've been a Utah fan my whole life. The only comment I'd make is that, even though Utah fans have been very dismissive of BYU for over a decade now, the BYU game is never a given. Never. I hate that that's the case, but I sweat the whole game. My wife makes me watch it somewhere else. I don't care if we were ranked #1 and BYU somehow relegated to the FCS, I still wouldn't feel confident of a blowout. There's too much hatred between us for rationalities to hold up. I never think we'll lose, I wouldn't put that kind of energy out there, but I'd never say a blowout is assured.

2 videos a day Lou, come on now

Florida has a tough schedule in 2024

What do you mean TCU had a generational team in 2022? That was probably only the 4th best team they’ve had since joining the big 12, 11 years ago.. To think that can’t happen again is unjust. They’ve been recruiting the best they have in a 4-year stretch ever, they got much better at D-ccordinator, are in year two of the offense with a more seasoned QB. Plus they bring back a ton, as well. They were bad last year but they should be closer to 2022 than 2023 in my opinion.

How many Utah fan I think your prediction is very, very close.

I think Utah goes 7-5

The tight ends name is pronounced Keith-ie.

Brant Queef? 🤭🤭

I think Oklahoma st is winning the B12

Okst smashes utah

TENNESSEE VOLS NEXT

Just a note, assuming only one non power 5 team got into the playoffs and no 9-3 teams jumped a 10-2 power 5 team. Three 10-2 power 5 teams would of been left out of the 12 team playoff last year and in 2021.

I see Utah going 6-6 with loses to OK State, Arizona, ASU, BYU, Colorado and UCF. Sorry dudes, it's just the way I see it. 🙂

Gumby is 4 wins 15 losses versus OU....Gumby had 2 very embarassing losses South Alababama FCS team in Stoolwater 33-7 and then got smashed by 4-8 UCF 45-3/.. Everyone wants to ignore OSU and their 122nd ranking in TOTAL DEFENSE last year andgave up 700 ysrd in Arlington in the Big 12 title game and pretty much the same Defense is back.. yet Lou love his cowboys.. Bet is they wete playing OU in Normsn he woulf still pick is cowboys over OU...