SALT LAKE CITY – Big 12 Media Days kicks off in Las Vegas in a day, and naturally, a lot of the conversation will be about Utah football and the Pac-12’s three other newcomers.
The Utes will likely be the focus of the conversation on July 9-10 due to their recent Picked to win Big 12 in preseason media pollIt’s a topic that has sparked a lot of discussion, debate, and even some anger from the old guard (understandably), which is likely to fuel much of the conversation over the two-day event.
While that may be the topic that dominates media time in Las Vegas, the Utes have other interesting topics of conversation that will likely be discussed as well.
We are here. #Taste pic.twitter.com/Rqw8yZEvBY
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 2, 2024
Find out what we think will be the top five topics discussed at Big 12 Media Days regarding Utah football in 2024.
Discussion Topic #1: Morgan Scalley Contract, Whitt’s Possible Retirement
This topic probably won’t take up much time for Utah football, but it will be the first to come up.
It wasn’t exactly earth-shattering news for those who cover or follow Utah football closely, but it certainly sparks a lot of curiosity about the “who, what, when, where and why” of the timing.
Some things we think we know are that the issue was forced after USC fired defensive coordinator Alex Grinch last season and pursued Scalley to be his replacement.
Current recruits also felt like they were wondering about the future of Utah football if they decided to go there and what the Utes’ plans were for when Whittingham retires. Naturally, naming Scalley as the “coach in waiting” provides assurance that many of the things that attract recruits about Utah will remain intact if Whitt retires during their time with the program.
We expect questions to be asked up front about the timing of the decision and the reasoning behind it. Nor would we be surprised if no one tries to convince Whittingham to set a timetable for the end of his career. (He won’t give a concrete answer one way or the other.)
Discussion Topic #2: Utah Football Team Voted #1 in Big 12
This would have been the first topic if the Scalley news hadn’t come out, but we’re sure the majority of the talk around Utah will involve them being the first pick in the Big 12 by the media.
On paper, Utah looks good. Really good, so it makes sense that there’s confidence that this team can make a splash despite being in a new conference.
The people have spoken…let us introduce you to 2024 #Big12FB Pre-Season Media Poll ???? pic.twitter.com/9JQw1J21Fv
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) July 2, 2024
The interesting parts of this discussion probably won’t come from the Utes. Whittingham and the Utes will keep quiet on the subject and instead focus on the need to put in the effort to get there rather than just expecting it to happen.
Look out for some interesting commentary from their conference mates – an interesting mix of teams that know Whittingham and Utah very well, and teams that are doing their best to learn as much as possible about them.
Discussion Topic #3: Team Health – Particularly Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe
Health has been a major issue for the Utes in 2023, with estimates of 38-40 players affected by significant injuries. (If those estimates are indeed accurate, Utah was operating without roughly the equivalent of its starting offensive and defensive units, plus its second-string units… woof…)
Day 1️⃣@crising7 @Brantkuithe14 @k_reid41 @Jmtafuna58 https://t.co/y03CZl0kSy
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) July 1, 2024
Despite all that, Utah still finished with a positive record against a Pac-12 team that proved to be very strong. It was hard not to be impressed, even by a tougher-than-usual performance.
Obviously, 2024 is a new year with new opportunities and there will be some curiosity from fans and media as to how Rising and Kuithe are feeling (They will both be present at the Big 12 Media Days) as well as the overall health of the Utah football team.
Discussion Topic #4: The New Faces of Utah Football
There are plenty of familiar faces returning for the Utes in 2024 — that’s a big factor in why they were voted by the media to finish first in the Big 12.
However, there will also be some new faces in the mix, particularly in the secondary and wide receiver groups, who will generate some interest and even questions as the season approaches.
Those familiar with Utah football know that any time there is a turnover on defense, it is simply a matter of “reloading.” That is essentially what the Utes are facing with their DBs in 2024, with cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn receiving the most overall playing time for the Utes.
The receivers are a little different. This isn’t so much about “reloading” Utah’s team as it is about shoring up what seems like a perennial weakness for an otherwise solid team.
Look for some interesting, more niche “Jimmy and Joes” conversations around players like Georgia Tech transfer cornerback Kenan Johnson, or USC transfer wide receiver Dorian Singer, as well as some players who have been with the program for a while like Smith Snowden, Tao Johnson, and Money Parks.
Discussion Topic #5: Utah’s Thoughts on the Big 12
The media will have a hard time getting the Utes to explain in detail why they were voted the Big 12’s preseason best players, but they should be able to get an initial idea of their involvement in a new conference.
Which teams are the players most looking forward to facing? Especially teams they know less well? Venues they can’t wait to play in? Teams they can’t wait to face?
What conversations are you most excited about around Utah in its first appearance at Big 12 Media Days? Is there a conversation we didn’t think of that you’re curious about? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast (SUBSCRIBE) And The Saturday show (Saturday 10am-12pm) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on X, InstagramAnd Son: @BodkinKSLsports
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