By Kyle Golik
#4 Colorado
Versus Familiar Foes:
In defense of Deion Sanders, outside of the 2016 Colorado team that went 10-4, Colorado has had a losing season in every single season in the Pac-12.
Colorado had a cumulative record against Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State of 10-28 in Pac-12 conference play.
The Buffaloes re-enters Big XII play with a record of .500 or higher against current Big XII members.
Where do they stand in the Big XII?
It is hard for me to buy into the portal-heavy, veteran strategy Sanders is employing.
Losing talent like Cormani McClain doesn’t help the program take the next step. Whether you believe McClain’s words that, “I feel like I just don’t want to play for clicks. I actually want to be involved with a great leading program that’s going to develop players,” considering McClain’s pedigree and how over 50 players have made a mass exodus from the program is alarming.
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Sanders has not identified the pieces to replace cornerback Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders when they leave for the NFL. It’s a lot tougher to recruit an elite quarterback when you don’t recruit as it is and when that elite quarterback isn’t of blood relation.
Sanders’ reluctance to build at all through traditional recruiting, 12 total commitments in the last recruiting cycle, and three commitments in the Class of 2025 (as of this writing), isn’t helping the long-term picture for Colorado.
Any benefit the Buffaloes are reaping are short term highs, that once Sanders does depart (I don’t have a vibe of a long-term commitment to Boulder for Sanders), it is back to being a cellar dweller in the Big XII for Colorado, something that was the norm in the Pac-12.
#3 Arizona State
Versus Familiar Foes:
Arizona State typically has been a consistent middle-of-the-pack program until Herm Edwards let the program erode which current coach Kenny Dillingham is trying to rebuild.
Last season was the first time since 2016 that Arizona State lost to Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, and posted consecutive three-win seasons, the program’s lowest consecutive win total since World War II.
Where do they stand in the Big XII?
Losing Jaden Rashada did not help Dillingham in his rebuild of the Arizona State program, although the downgrade though to expected starter Sam Leavitt might not be as bad as once thought.
“I couldn’t be more happy with his progression,” Dillingham said of Leavitt after Arizona State’s spring game. “He completed over 70% of his balls in team periods this spring, which is, I don’t know my history. We tracked (offensive coordinator Marcus) Arroyo’s history and that was the best, or one of the best, he’s had in his career at quarterback so kudos to him and we’re going to keep getting better.”
The Sun Devils still have major issues on the offensive line, something that reared its ugly head again in the spring game and quite frankly might not be much better come the regular season.
From a recruiting perspective, Dillingham’s efforts are starting to bear some fruit as four-star wide receiver Adrian Wilson from Weiss HS (Pflugerville, Texas) committed to Dillingham back in April.
The Sun Devils are in the mix for coveted in-state offensive tackle Logan Powell from Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, Arizona) along with Tennessee, Alabama, and Oklahoma, as well as a pair of Top 20 tight ends in Vander Ploog (Troy HS; Fullerton, CA) and Baron Naone (West Linn HS; West Linn, OR).
If Dillingham can score a few recruiting wins like that, it will help get them back to bowl eligibility, something they will still mightily struggle with this season.
#2 Arizona
Versus Familiar Foes:
After the program cratered to a winless 2020 season, the financially strapped Wildcats successfully bargained shopped for Jedd Fisch, who was a long time NFL offensive assistant with stops with the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and Denver Broncos.
The transient Fisch took the Wildcats from a single win in 2021 to their first 10 win season in a decade.
Arizona lost two overtime encounters and lost their three games by a combined total of 16 points.
The Wildcats took advantage of an injury-riddled Utah team that was vying for their third consecutive Pac-12 championship with their first wins against the Utes since 2015.
Arizona won the Territorial Cup against Arizona State for a second consecutive season in 2023, marking the first time the Wildcats had consecutive wins against the Sun Devils since 2008-2009.
Against Colorado, Arizona has won five of their last seven, including a two-game win streak against the Buffaloes.
Where do they stand in the Big XII?
Losing Fisch was purely financial, and it had all the makings to dismantle a program that seemed to be on the precipice of turning the corner and becoming a consistent Top 20 threat.
The Wildcats were able to lure in San Jose State’s Brent Brennan to replace Fisch, with Brennan able to keep intact the majority of the 10-win roster including quarterback sensation Noah Fifita.
“He is not average,” said offensive coordinator Dino Babers, who continues to see the progression of Fifita becoming amongst the nation’s elite quarterbacks. “He’s above that. We’ve got a really good quarterback and we’re excited for the things we can do with him.”
Fifita was the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year after passing for 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 72.4% of his pass attempts in his first season; he’s the only Wildcat quarterback in program history to complete over 70% of his passes in a season.
Supporting Fifita is wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who finished second to Washington’s Rome Odunze in the Pac-12 with 90 receptions and 1,402 receiving yards, and was a major return for the Wildcats.
The offensive line remains a major question following the spring game. injuries to Wendell Moe and Raymond Pulido didn’t solve much for the offensive line. Right tackle Jonah Savaiinaea is the safest bet on the offensive line, who has been an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention the last two seasons.
The late departure of nose tackle Bill Norton is unfortunate, losing the anchor of the defensive line. Despite that, linebackers Jacob Manu and Justin Flowe will still make plays.
Manu is the star of the Wildcats defense attaining First Team All Pac-12 honors leading the conference with 116 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and an interception.
Flowe looked like he found a home in Arizona, and he can be extremely aggressive due to his playmaking nature. Look for him to continue his maturation this year.
Free safety Gunner Maldonado, who put in a Defensive MVP effort in the Alamo Bowl, will anchor a secondary that has looked strong this spring.
Overall, Arizona should contend for a Big XII Championship right away in the Big XII, but it could be derailed if the offensive line cannot protect Fifita and if they are not ready for September showdowns with Kansas State and Utah.
#1 Utah
Versus Familiar Foes:
Utah was poised to close out the Pac-12 conference with a third consecutive conference championship, but those dreams were derailed by numerous injuries to the defense and offensively to quarterback Cameron Rising.
Since 2016, Utah is 18-4 against Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado overall.
Outside of their Holy War rivalry against BYU, Utah has limited historical experience against current Big XII competition.
Where do they stand in the Big XII?
Kyle Whittingham is seen by national analysts as a Top 10 coach in the nation. The job Whittingham has down with Utah is Hall of Fame worthy when you consider the success the Utes have enjoyed and the program’s development.
Part of Whittingham’s greatest success is quarterback Cameron Rising, who returns for a final season. He’ll be supported by a trio of wide receivers in Money Parks, Mycah Pittman, and Southern California transfer Dorian Singer.
Whittingham assessed Rising’s spring game and how he gelled with the wide receivers, “Exactly where we hoped he would be. He was accurate, moved well in the pocket, good pocket presence, too — which he always does — went through his progressions quick, got the ball out on time. Really couldn’t have asked for anything more than what he gave us today.”
Defensively, what cost Utah in many games were injuries to the defensive front seven. In addition, losing stalwarts in defensive lineman Jonah Elliss and safety Cole Bishop stings, but the injuries Utah endured in 2023 gave plenty of experience throughout the defense.
Look for the defensive front to be anchored by Van Fillinger, Junior Tafuna, Connor O’Toole, and Keanu Tanuvasa. Defensive tackle Aliki Vimahi had an outstanding spring game and should seek meaningful rotation along with Simote Pepa.
Cornerback Cameron Calhoun, a Michigan transfer, led all players with six tackles and had a tackle for loss and a pass breakup during Utah’s spring game should push for a starting cornerback position.
Overall, this is one of Whittingham’s deepest teams he has had with Utah with a schedule that has two interesting crossroads for the Utes. In September, they have a back-to-back against Oklahoma State and Arizona, so ensuring the offense is ready for those high-octane matchups is key.
Following their November 2nd bye, the Utes have consecutive matchups against BYU, Colorado, and Iowa State. While it isn’t the toughest stretch, with two of those matchups at Rice-Eccles Stadium, BYU is their fiercest rival and matchups with Colorado and Iowa State could see the Utes avoiding upset alerts.
Overall, Utah should contend for a Big XII Championship and could secure the program’s first College Football Playoff berth this season.
