Utah Utes and BYU Cougars football teams face high expectations - Axios Salt Lake CityLog InLog InAxios Salt Lake City is an Axios company.

Utah Utes and BYU Cougars football teams face high expectations

Courtesy University of Utah College football season has arrived for the University of Utah and BYU.The No. 7-ranked Utes are slight favorites as they head to Florida for a prime-time season opener against the Gators. The game starts at 5pm on ESPN.BYU, at No. 25, is starting its final conference-less season in Tampa against the South Florida Bulls. Kickoff is at 2pm. The big picture: Expectations for both teams following solid seasons last year are high. After going 10-3 in 2021 and than any other team, BYU is looking to show it'll be a consistent threat before entering the Big 12 next year.The Utes want to exceed lofty expectations after losing last year's Rose Bowl nailbiter 48-45. Catch up fast: The Utes came soooo close to upsetting Ohio State in Pasadena after dominating the Pac-12. (Ross is a huge Ohio State fan, and he loved every minute of the instant classic game.)Yes, and: They were without secondary defenders during the Rose Bowl due to season-ending injuries. But all three players are back this season. State of play: Utah is starting the fall with the team's highest preseason ranking ever.Oregon is their biggest Pac-12 competition, but USC's transfer-heavy roster could make it a conference dark horse. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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