Dan Wetzel: You Don’t Want To Go Against One Of Kyle Whittingham’s Teams

Aug 27, 2024, 1:07 PM

Follow @kslsports...

SALT LAKE CITY –The new 16-team Big 12 is considered one of the most wide-open conferences this football season. There were five different teams that earned at least one first-place vote from the media preseason poll. 

The University of Utah led the way as the preseason favorite with 20 first-place votes and were followed by Kansas State’s 19 and Oklahoma State had 14. Those were the only three schools to crack the double-digit first-place vote tally.

In short, this season for the Utes is being hyped as one of the best ever, and it is being suggested that for Utah’s season to be considered a success they must win the Big 12.

“This is not fair, but Utah is Big 12 championship or bust with this group,” KSL Sports Zone host Jeremiah Jensen said back in June. “You’ve seen the difference in Utah with Cam Rising and the difference without. One wins Pac-12 championships and goes to Rose Bowls, and the other one can’t beat Northwestern in a bowl game.”

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Expectations are high for Utah, but it is clear that if this team has a healthy Rising this fall the Utes will be in the running to win the Big 12.

Big 12 Conference Is Wide Open

National columnists seem to favor Utah to win the conference, with plenty of votes going to Kansas State and Oklahoma State as the other top choices.

Yahoo Sports Dan Wetzel joined JJ & Alex on the KSL Sports Zone and truly believes if you look at the conference there are circumstances where over half of the league can make a case to win the Big 12.

“I ​made ​the ​case ​for like ​10 ​different ​teams ​winning it,” Wetzel said. ​”I ​mean, you ​start ​going ​through ​it ​and ​you’re ​like, ​’well, ​you ​know, [quarterback] ​K.J. ​Jefferson… ​ ​he ​transferred ​to ​UCF ​and ​Gus Malzahn is good ​with ​running ​QB’s’. You ​can ​make ​a ​case. ​I ​just ​think ​week ​in, ​week ​out, ​it’s ​going ​to be ​really ​interesting with ​big ​games.”

Wetzel does have his pick for the conference champion and it is a lean to the Wildcats of Kansas State.

“I’ve been picking Kansas State with a nod to Utah,” Wetzel said. “You ​don’t ​ever ​really ​want ​to ​go ​against ​one ​of ​Kyle [Whittingham’s] ​teams. ​He ​knows ​how ​to ​win. ​

“They ​probably are ​the ​best ​program ​on ​paper ​going ​in ​right ​now ​in ​the ​last ​five ​years. ​I ​just ​like ​the ​Kansas ​State team ​a ​little ​bit [more]… I ​would ​certainly ​not ​be ​surprised ​at ​all ​if ​the ​Ute’s win ​this thing.”

Tune into JJ & Alex every Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. on 1280 AM and 97.5 FM, or subscribe to the podcast. Also, download the all-new KSL Sports app on iOS or Android.

KSL 5 TV Live

KSLSports Feed

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

BYU Football Among Blue Bloods In Final Cut For Top Hawaii Recruit

BYU is in the mix for one of the nation's top offensive tackle prospects in 2026.

2 hours ago

Jake Shoff pictured during his time as a forward for BYU basketball. Shoff was  tragically killed i...

KSL Sports

Jake Shoff, Former BYU Basketball Player, Dies In Car Accident

Former BYU basketball player Jake Shoff passed away at the age of 46.

3 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

How To Watch, Listen To Utah Basketball Vs. West Virginia

Utah basketball hits the road and will travel to Morgantown to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in a Saturday tilt, here's how to watch or listen.

3 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

The Hat Trick: Dylan Guenther Plays Hero Again For Utah HC With OT Winner Over Columbus

For the second-straight game, Dylan Guenther scored an OT winner to lead Utah Hockey Club to victory.

18 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Dylan Guenther Wins It For Utah Hockey Club In Overtime Against Columbus

For the second straight game, Dylan Guenther was the hero for the Utah Hockey Club as he lit the lamp in OT against Columbus.

19 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Dylan Guenther Plays Hero In OT For Utah Hockey Club

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Dylan Guenther has been exactly what the doctor ordered for Utah Hockey Club after the forward's second consecutive overtime game-winner.

19 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Dan Wetzel: You Don’t Want To Go Against One Of Kyle Whittingham’s Teams