Utes, Cougars and Aggies enter college football season with wide range of expecations

If you've been waking up and noticing the cool, crisp air, that can only mean one thing: Football season is here.

Driving the news: College football returns in earnest on Thursday and through Labor Day weekend as teams across the country kick off their 2024-25 seasons.

State of play: The University of Utah opens its first year in the Big 12 at 7pm against Southern Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

• It should be a little more than a glorified scrimmage as the No. 12 ranked Utes have their eyes set on a college football playoff berth for the first time in school history.
• The Utes could have a relatively straightforward path to the postseason as their toughest stretch will come on back-to-back weeks in late September when they face No. 17 Oklahoma State on the road and then come home to play No. 21 Arizona.

The BYU Cougars start their season on Saturday at 6pm in Provo against Southern Illinois. This should also be an easy win for BYU, who's favored by 14.5 points.

• The Cougars' first big test will come Sept. 21 when they take on No. 18 Kansas State, the first of five ranked opponents they're set to face this season.

Rounding out the trifecta are the Utah State Aggies who get their season underway Saturday at 6pm in Logan against Robert Morris.

• USU will look to enjoy an early season win as their next two games will be on the road against No. 23 USC and at home against the Utes.

What we're watching: Expectations for all three football programs vary vastly, but the Utes could be in prime position to make a push for a national title as members of the Big 12.

• And we can't forget about "The Holy War," a game that hasn't been played since 2021. This season BYU travels to Salt Lake City to take on the Utes on Nov. 9.