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2026 Utah Utes Football Predictions with Betting Odds and Best Bets

by Ryan Cobbett - 8/19/2026

Utah Utes football predictions Devon Dampier

Utah has been a playoff bubble team for many years, and they ultimately fell short of this goal again last year. Despite that, it was far from an unsuccessful year. They turned in 10 wins and were so close to a potential playoff berth. Unfortunately, the offseason was not kind to the Utes as long-time coach Kyle Wittingham departed for Michigan, leaving behind his home with Utah. While Wittingham did bring along some of his former players, Devon Dampier remained with the new head coach Morgan Scalley. Utah could be a dark horse playoff team this season thanks to an easier path through the Big 12. Regardless, expect the winning ways to continue with the new regime.  

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Utah Utes Football Summary of Last Season

The Utah Utes were one of the most complete teams to miss the playoffs last season. The Utes dominated the first three games of their season, going 3-0 with a combined score of 137-25. Unfortunately for the Utes, their conference schedule drew both Texas Tech and BYU. They lost in Week Four to Texas Tech and then would take their second loss of the season a few weeks later to BYU. Outside of those two games, the Utes never scored less than 31 points on the season, and they allowed more than 30 points just once (Texas Tech). They finished the regular season 10-2, narrowly missing the playoffs. However, they dominated the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl as they took down Nebraska 44-22.

The Utah offense was one of the best in the country. They ranked fourth in all of college football in YPG (482.9) and they ranked fourth in PPG (41.3). Their 266.3 rushing YPG was the second most in the country, trailing only Navy. Devon Dampier finished the season with 2,490 passing yards, while completing 63.5% of his passes. He tallied 24 passing touchdowns and just five interceptions. Dampier also added 835 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Wayshawn Parker led the ground game with 981 rushing yards, though he finished fourth in rushing touchdowns with six. Backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin finished with 513 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns, and backup running back NaQuari Rogers led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns. Ryan Davis led the team with 725 receiving yards while Dallen Bentley finished second with 620. Bentley and Larry Simmons were tied for the team lead with six receiving touchdowns.

The Utah defense was also one of the best units in the country. They kept the opposition to just 18.9 PPG, though they did allow 359 YPG. Jonathan Hall led the team with 67 tackles while also adding a forced fumble, an interception, four pass deflections, and 2.5 sacks. Jackson Bennee finished right behind Hall with 64 tackles, while also leading the team with four interceptions. Smith Snowden led the team with nine pass deflections, while also adding two interceptions. Logan Fano finished second on the team with 4.5 sacks, and he also added another 44 tackles and two pass deflections.

Utah Utes Football Key Additions/Losses

Utah ranks 54th in the country in returning production, bringing back just 55%. The team lost three players to the NFL Draft. Spencer Fano was taken with the ninth overall pick by the Cleveland Browns. Fellow offensive tackle Caleb Lomu was taken 28th overall by the New England Patriots, and Bentley rounded out the draft class by being selected in the seventh round by the Denver Broncos. The Utes also lost edge rusher John Henry Daley, wide receiver JJ Buchanan, Snowden, cornerback Salesi Moa, and defensive lineman Jonah Lea’ea to Michigan as the Wolverines poached Wittingham and company. Safety Tao Johnson (UCLA), defensive lineman Dallas Vakalahi (Penn State), and quarterback Isaac Wilson (Colorado) also transferred out of the program.

The Utes brought in some weapons to fill some of the holes. They added wide receivers Braden Pegan (Utah State) and Kyri Shoels (San Jose State), as well as running back Steve Chaves-Soto (San Jose State) and interior offensive lineman Isaiah Kema (Ohio State) to reload the offense. Their defense added edge rusher Ethan Day (North Texas), cornerback James Chenault (South Florida), and defensive linemen Lucas Samsula (Wyoming) and Jamal Wallace (Tennessee).

2026 Utah Utes Football Schedule Breakdown

Utah has an easier start to the schedule than most. They don’t have to leave the friendly confines until the last week of September as they host Idaho, Arkansas, and Utah State to begin the season. That road game to end the opening month is against Iowa State who will be way down this season. They have a bye week before returning home to host Kansas, which is followed by a road game to Colorado. It is not a hot take to think Utah could begin the season 6-0. After the Colorado game the Utes will host Houston, travel to Cincinnati, host BYU, travel to Arizona and TCU in back-to-back weeks and then end the season with a home game against West Virginia. For Utah, they have two tough games on the schedule against BYU and Houston, but both of those games are at home. If they can avoid a late season road upset against TCU or Arizona, I think Utah has a chance to reach the conference championship.

2026 Utah Utes Football X-Factors/Big Questions

Can Devon Dampier Take the Next Step?

Yes, and he will need to if Utah wants to reach the playoffs. Dampier is a huge Heisman sleeper. If he can make a few strides in the passing game, he has a chance to be the best quarterback in the country. Dampier is highly productive with his legs, and with another year of experience, the decision making should follow suit. Don’t sleep on the quarterback.

Is Utah Being Overlooked?

Yes, and if Dampier can reach his full potential, and the Scalley has this team ready to play, Utah could reach the playoffs this season. They have an incredibly friendly schedule playing in the Big 12, and their two hardest games are on their home turf. I do not think it is the hottest take to pick Utah to put together an undefeated season.

2026 Utah Utes Football Notable Odds:

National Championship: +17500

Big 12 Champion: +850

Heisman Winner- Devon Dampier: +8000

Predicted Win Total: 8.5 Games

2026 Utah Utes Football Predictions and Best Bets:

Don’t sleep on Utah. I don’t think this team has national title aspirations, but a playoff appearance and a potential conference championship are very realistic happenings for Utah. At +850 to win the conference, there is a lot of value to like. As for the win total, I am taking the over with no hesitation. Utah has a 12-0 ceiling, and an 11-1 record is more likely than the casual fan may think. There is no way this team loses four games. Again, don’t sleep on the Utes.

Prediction: Over 8.5 Wins, -132

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