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SALT LAKE CITY — The annual football predictions this season come with the usual excitement mixed with a heavy dose of intrigue and sadness.
For the first time, thanks to crazy conference realignment, there's a melancholy feeling that accompanies the anticipated euphoria that signals the season beginning. The Pac-12, the longstanding premiere conference in the mountain and pacific time zones, will cease to exist in its intended forum in a few months.
Athletic directors and university administrators can spin it any which way, but the conference's demise boils down to money. The best interests of the student athletes, who are more accurately known as the players, take a back seat to cash despite all the bogus declarations.
As UCLA basketball coach Mick Cronin told reporters: "None of it is in the best interest of the student-athlete, no matter what anybody says. It's in the best interest of more money to cover the bills. That's it."
But enough of that for now. There's teams and games to follow and enjoy over the coming three months.
BYU
So much newness for this program creates a whole bunch of unknowns going into its first season in the Big 12.
Let's start with the defense, which has no choice but to improve upon last season's miserable performance. All eyes will be on new defensive coordinator Jay Hill, who promises to play an attacking style rather than allowing his defense to get picked apart.
As with most teams in the transfer-happy world of immediate eligibility, the Cougars will call upon several newcomers on both sides of the ball. The most important is quarterback Kedon Slovis, who will attempt to recapture the impressive ability he displayed as a freshman at USC four years ago.
A slate of nine conference games offers a mystery full of new opponents. In breaking down the schedule, bowl eligibility would demand a 2-0 start against Sam Houston State and Southern Utah, respectively, along with a split of the first two conference games at Kansas and at home the following week against Cincinnati
Provided the Cougars go into October at 3-2, at least six wins seems like a lock. And provided Slovis regains his mojo, let's go with 7-5, 5-4 in conference.
Utah
The coaching staff spends nearly all of August boasting about the top talent and the incredible depth behind the starters. Scanning the roster, there's little reason to doubt it.
The only real question is the status of quarterback Cam Rising, who is trying to hurry back after suffering a serious knee injury in the Rose Bowl. Good luck trying to figure it out, as coach Kyle Whittingham has convinced himself that disseminating information almost guarantees a loss.
A healthy Rising goes a long way toward the Utes reaching all their goals, which include a third conference championship and a playoff appearance. Tight end Brant Kuithe also needs a return to form after suffering a season-ending injury last September.
The Utes will have a stout defense, with the possibility of matching or exceeding the level of the senior-laden unit displayed in 2019. There are no weaknesses, barring a rash of injuries.
The biggest concern is the schedule, which on paper ranks among the program's best. A 7-2 conference record might be a significant achievement this season.
The pick is 9-3, 7-2.
Utah State
Hit hard by the transfer portal, the Aggies reloaded also by bringing in several four-year and junior college transfers. Several will need to produce immediately if coach Blake Anderson wants to make a bowl game in his first three seasons.
Veteran quarterback Cooper Legas is solid, but the Aggies must find an adequate replacement for Calvin Tyler Jr. at running back from among three candidates. They return a decent amount of experience at the other positions on offense.
A few stalwarts anchor the defense, but there's plenty of holes to fill. A manageable schedule does provide a chance to avoid slumps that dogged the Aggies last season when they lost four consecutive games after winning the opener against Connecticut.
The pick is 5-7, 3-5.
