Phil Steele Names Big 12 Program As Surprise Team Heading Into 2024

Phil Steele recently ranked his top 10 surprise teams heading into the 2024 season. A new Big 12 program was featured on the list.

The Big 12 is expanding with the addition of the Colorado Buffaloes, Utah Utes, Arizona Wildcats, and Arizona State Sun Devils. The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners left the conference to join the SEC.

One team that Steele thinks will surprise a lot of people is Utah. The Utes are fresh off an 8-5 season after some inconsistency at quarterback due to Cam Rising's injury. Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson saw the most snaps at the position in 2023.

Steele noted that many people have picked Utah to win the Big 12 in their first season there.

"Utah transitions to the Big 12 coming off of a down year in their final Pac-12 season," Steele said. "But many have tabbed the Utes as the favorite to win their new conference in their very first season joining the league."

Having a healthy Rising under center could do the team some favors. Rising had a career-high 3,034 passing yards and 32 total touchdowns in 2022 before his season-ending injury in the Rose Bowl. Rising tore his ACL, which caused him to miss the 2023 season.

"Quarterback Cameron Rising returns after missing the entire 2023 season with an injury suffered to end the 2022 season," Steele said. "With Utah’s strong culture set by Kyle Whittingham and their excellent home-field advantage definitely working in their favor in a new conference."

The Utes open the season against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Aug. 29. Kickoff will be at 9 p.m. ET on Big 12 Network and ESPN+.

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