Could two Big 12 newcomers face off in the Big 12 football championship game this season?
ESPN's Rece Davis thinks so.
He recently predicted that the Arizona Wildcats and Utah Utes will meet in the conference championship game in their first season in the Big 12 after leaving the Pac-12.
"I'll say it's a Pac-12 reunion," Davis said on a recent episode of the College GameDay Podcast. "I'm going to say Utah and Arizona, even though I think Kansas State and Oklahoma State will probably drop the Big 12 elbow."
Arizona and Utah join Arizona State and Colorado as the Big 12's new members this season, with all four coming over from the Pac-12. The Big 12 lost Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC at the end of last season.
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Utah in Big 12 football title game wouldn't be a surprise
The Utah pick from Davis isn't much of a surprise, as the Utes recently topped the 2024 Big 12 Football Media Preseason Poll.
Utah has QB Cam Rising returning after a season-ending injury last season and is expected to at least contend for the conference title, if not win it.
The Utes are scheduled to open the season at home against Southern Utah on Aug. 29.
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Arizona in Big 12 football title game would be a surprise
Arizona being picked to make the Big 12 title game is a surprise, however. The Wildcats came in fifth in the preseason Big 12 poll.
Kansas State was second, Oklahoma State was third and Kansas was fourth.
Arizona has dynamic QB Noah Fifita returning, as well as WR Tetairoa McMillian, but the team has a new coach in Brent Brennan and questions about the defense.
The Wildcats are scheduled to open the season against New Mexico on Aug. 31.
Arizona and Utah are set to face off in Salt Lake City on Sept. 28.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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