The calendar might say a new year, but I cannot shake my love for Kyle Whittingham and the Utah Utes. Year after year I wind up backing them in futures markets, generally in multiple ways. Here’s how I’m playing the Utes this season on DraftKings Sportsbook.
To Make the CFP: Utah (+200) — 1.5-units
Big 12 Championship Game Winner: Utah (+320) — 1.5-units
It was a down year for the Utes in 2023, but not much went their way. In their final season in PAC-12 play, Utah lost their top-two quarterbacks and three of their top pass-catchers. While the offensive line and defense were nails per usual, there just wasn’t enough playmaking on the field for the Utes to play to their potential.
Now, Whittingham and company move over to the Big 12, and bring back a ton of talent — highlighted by seventh-year QB Cam Rising and 15 total starters. Each of the last two years that Rising did play healthy in 2021 and 2022, Utah won the PAC-12 and wound up playing in the Rose Bowl. With a step down in competition, and Texas and Oklahoma moving over to the SEC, Utah can step right into a brand new conference and dominate immediately.
Full disclosure — I did bet some Utah O9.5 wins when it opened at plus-money, but now priced at -155, I prefer just backing Utah to win the conference and make the CFP. It’s hard to imagine this is a 10-win team that doesn’t get into the CFP, but I also feel 11 wins is the most likely outcome. Going through the schedule, Utah should be a favorite in 11 games this season, with a pick’em game at Oklahoma State in Week 4. I’m super high on the Cowboys this season, so I’m going to have a tough time figuring out who to root for in that one, but the point is that the Utes have no sure-thing losses. When I discussed the Utes with Phil Steele, he brought up that most of his power ratings call for an 11-win season, and he views the Utes as the best team in the conference.
With the win total juiced to -155, and the price for Utah just to reach the Big 12 Championship game at +120, I think it’s worth just swinging for the fences here with the +320 conference price. A 10 or 11 win team should certainly be playing in the Big 12 Championship game, where Utah would likely be priced the favorite. Breaking the wagers up like this gives us the chance to still profit if Utah loses the Big 12 Championship game, but still makes the CFP, and also the opportunity to hedge on the game with the +320 ticket in pocket — I think that would generate more profit than just betting the +120 to reach the game.
With elite coaching and a tenacious defense, look for this offense to take the step forward it needs to for us to see a dangerous Utah squad playing in the College Football Playoff.
Place your College Football bets at DraftKings Sportsbook or by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
The contents contained in this article do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment.
