2021 was a memorable year for college football in the state of Utah. At the FBS level, all three schools – Utah, Utah State, and BYU – finished ranked in the Top 25 together for the first time ever while all posting double-digit victory totals. The Utes and Aggies claimed conference championships, while the Cougars were victorious over both of them.
With a new season about to kick off, here’s a look at each team’s schedule, biggest game, and predicted finish for 2022.
No. 7 Utah Utes
Last season: The Utes finished 10-4, winning the Pac-12 championship and appearing in the Rose Bowl while being ranked No. 12 in the final AP and Coaches polls.
2022 schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (MT) | Where to watch |
| @ Florida | Saturday, Sep. 3 | 5 p.m. | ESPN |
| Southern Utah | Saturday, Sep. 10 | 11:30 a.m. | Pac-12 Networks |
| San Diego State | Saturday, Sep. 17 | 8 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| @ Arizona State* | Saturday, Sep. 24 | TBA | TBA |
| Oregon State* | Saturday, Oct. 1 | TBA | TBA |
| @ UCLA* | Saturday, Oct. 8 | TBA | TBA |
| USC* | Saturday, Oct. 15 | TBA | TBA |
| @ Washington State* | Thursday, Oct. 27 | 8 p.m. | FS1 |
| Arizona* | Saturday, Nov. 5 | TBA | TBA |
| Stanford* | Saturday, Nov. 12 | TBA | TBA |
| @ Oregon* | Saturday, Nov. 19 | TBA | TBA |
| @ Colorado* | Saturday, Nov. 26 | TBA | TBA |
*Pac-12 Conference game
Game of the Season: USC
The Trojans come to Salt Lake City at a time when the Utes could be undefeated and both teams could in the national rankings. The two programs have played multiple close games over the years and are inside the preseason Top 15, and a win would give Utah the edge for a spot in the Pac-12 title game.
Prediction
Wins (11): Florida, SUU, SDSU, ASU, Oregon State, Washington State, Arizona, Stanford, Colorado
Losses (1): USC
With an 11-1 record, the Utes will play either USC or Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game in Las Vegas. If they win, a spot in the College Football Playoff is in the realm of possibility. If they don’t reach the national semifinals, a return to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl is a nice consolation prize.
No. 25 BYU Cougars
Last season: The Cougars finished 10-3, appearing in the Independence Bowl while being ranked No. 19 and No. 22 in the final AP and Coaches polls.
2022 schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (MT) | Where to watch |
| @ South Florida | Saturday, Sep. 3 | 2 p.m. | ESPNU |
| Baylor | Saturday, Sep. 10 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| @ Oregon | Saturday, Sep. 17 | 1:30 p.m. | FOX |
| Wyoming | Saturday, Sep. 24 | TBA | ESPN Networks |
| Utah State | Thursday, Sep. 29 | 6 p.m. | ESPN |
| Notre Dame^ | Saturday, Oct. 8 | 5:30 p.m. | NBC |
| Arkansas | Saturday, Oct. 15 | TBA | ESPN Networks |
| @ Liberty | Saturday, Oct. 22 | TBA | TBA |
| East Carolina | Friday, Oct. 28 | 6 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| @ Boise State | Saturday, Nov. 5 | TBA | FOX Sports Networks |
| Utah Tech | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 1:30 p.m. | BYUtv |
| @ Stanford | Saturday, Nov. 26 | TBA | TBA |
^ Game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.
Game of the Season: Baylor
In just the second game of the season, BYU faces a major test as No. 10 and defending Big 12 champion Baylor visits Provo. In the first of four matchups against preseason Top 25 opponents, the Cougars have a chance early to prove that they are ready to join the Big 12 in 2023.
Prediction
Wins (7): South Florida, Wyoming, Arkansas, Liberty, East Carolina, Utah Tech, Stanford
Losses (5): Baylor, Oregon, Utah State, Notre Dame, Boise State
With losses to multiple ranked opponents as well as rivals Utah State and Boise State, the Cougars find themselves falling below expectations. However, they will still beat a ranked opponent in Provo and reach a bowl game for the fifth year in a row (and the 16th time in 17 seasons).
Utah State Aggies
Last season: The Aggies finished 11-3, winning the Mountain West championship and the LA Bowl while being ranked No. 24 in the final AP and Coaches polls.
2022 schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (MT) | Where to watch |
| Connecticut | Saturday, Aug. 27 | 2 p.m. | FS1 |
| @ Alabama | Saturday, Sep. 3 | 5:30 p.m. | SEC Network |
| Weber State | Saturday, Sep. 10 | 5 p.m. | |
| UNLV* | Saturday, Sep. 24 | 5 p.m. | CBS Sports Network |
| @ BYU | Thursday, Sep. 29 | 6 p.m. | ESPN |
| Air Force* | Saturday, Oct. 8 | TBA | FOX Sports Networks |
| @ Colorado State* | Saturday, Oct. 15 | 5 p.m. | CBS Sports Network |
| @ Wyoming* | Saturday, Oct. 22 | TBA | FOX Sports Networks |
| New Mexico* | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 1:30 p.m. | CBS Sports Network |
| @ Hawai’i* | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 9 p.m. | Spectrum Sports |
| San Jose State* | Saturday, Nov. 19 | TBA | FOX Sports Networks |
| @ Boise State* | Friday, Nov. 25 | 10 a.m. | CBS |
*Mountain West Conference game
Game of the Season: BYU
With news of BYU canceling future matchups as they join the Big 12 next season, this is the last chance for the foreseeable future for Utah State to get a win over its biggest rival. The chance that the Cougars could be ranked at the time and after being humbled at home last season against them, the Aggies will want to be the ones who spoil the party in Provo.
Prediction
Wins (8): UConn, Weber State, UNLV, BYU, Wyoming, New Mexico, Hawai’i, San Jose State
Losses (4): Alabama, Air Force, Colorado State, Boise State
While they don’t win 11 games and another Mountain West title, the Aggies do pick up wins over rivals BYU and Wyoming while reaching a bowl game for the 10th time in 12 seasons.
The preseason AP college football poll: Does it actually matter?
The 2022 season begins
College football in the state of Utah kicks off on Saturday, August 27 when Utah State hosts Connecticut. The game is set to start at 2 p.m. MT and can be seen on FS1.
The Utes then kick off on Saturday, September 3 at Florida, while BYU travels to Tampa to face South Florida. Utah’s game begins at 5 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN, while the Cougars kick off at 2 p.m. MT on ESPNU.
