2021 was a memorable year for college football in the state of Utah. At the FCS level, Weber State recorded a winning season, while Utah Tech played its first full Division I campaign and Southern Utah ended a decade-long run in the Big Sky Conference.
With a new season about to kick off, here’s a look at each team’s schedule, biggest game, and predicted finish for 2022.
FCS No. 20 Weber State Wildcats
Last season: The Wildcats finished 6-5, extending their streak of consecutive winning seasons to seven.
2022 schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (MT) | Where to watch |
| Western Oregon | Thursday, Sep. 1 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Utah State | Saturday, Sep. 10 | 5 p.m. | |
| Utah Tech | Saturday, Sep. 17 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ UC Davis* | Saturday, Sep. 24 | 8 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Eastern Washington* | Saturday, Oct. 8 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Portland State* | Saturday, Oct. 15 | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Montana State* | Saturday, Oct. 22 | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Montana* | Saturday, Oct. 29 | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Sacramento State* | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Idaho State* | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Northern Arizona* | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
* Big Sky Conference game
Game of the Season: Montana State
With a schedule that includes five preseason Top 25 opponents, Weber State’s season is one of the toughest at the FCS level. Beating last season’s national runner-up Bobcats on the road is what the Wildcats need as they return to the FCS playoffs after a one-year absence.
Prediction
Wins (7): Western Oregon, Utah Tech, UC Davis, Portland State, Sac State, Idaho State, NAU
Losses (4): Utah State, Eastern Washington, Montana State, Montana
Even with losses to multiple preseason ranked opponents, the Wildcats still pick up at least one Top 25 win. Seven wins in the ultra-competitive Big Sky Conference should be enough for Weber State to make a return to the FCS playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons.
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Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Last season: The Thunderbirds finished 1-10 in 2021 in their last season in the Big Sky Conference.
2022 schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (MT) | Where to watch |
| St. Thomas | Thursday, Sep. 1 | 6 p.m. | |
| @ Utah | Saturday, Sep. 10 | 11:30 a.m. | Pac-12 Networks |
| @ Western Illinois | Saturday, Sep. 17 | 2 p.m. | |
| Utah Tech* | Saturday, Sep. 24 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Eastern Kentucky | Saturday, Oct. 1 | 4 p.m. | |
| Tarleton State* | Saturday, Oct. 8 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Abilene Christian* | Saturday, Oct. 15 | 2:25 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Stephen F. Austin* | Saturday, Oct. 22 | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Utah Tech | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 6 p.m. | |
| Lincoln (CA) | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 1 p.m. | |
| @ Sam Houston* | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 11 a.m. | ESPN+ |
*Western Athletic Conference game
Game of the Season: Utah Tech (Sep. 24)
In the first matchup against the Trailblazers as D-I opponents, the T-birds have a chance to pick up a win and start out strong in the new WAC rivalry.
Prediction
Wins (3): Western Illinois, Utah Tech (first game), Lincoln (CA)
Losses (8): St. Thomas, Utah, Eastern Kentucky, Tarleton State, ACU, SFA, Utah Tech (second game), Sam Houston
As a new WAC member with a first-year head coach, not much is expected of the Thunderbirds. An improvement from one win in 2021 would be a start, as would a win over Utah Tech.
Utah Tech Trailblazers
Last season: The Trailblazers finished 1-10 in their first full season as NCAA Division I FCS program.
2022 schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (MT) | Where to watch |
| @ Sacramento State | Saturday, Sep. 3 | 7 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Chadron State | Saturday, Sep. 10 | 7 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Weber State | Saturday, Sep. 17 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Southern Utah* | Saturday, Sep. 24 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Abilene Christian* | Saturday, Oct. 1 | 7 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Northern Iowa | Saturday, Oct. 15 | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Sam Houston* | Saturday, Oct. 22 | 7 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ Stephen F. Austin* | Saturday, Oct. 29 | 3 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Southern Utah | Saturday, Nov. 5 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Tarleton State* | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 1 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| @ BYU | Saturday, Nov. 19 | 1:30 p.m. | BYUtv |
*Western Athletic Conference game
Game of the Season: Southern Utah (Nov. 5)
After facing SUU in Cedar City, the Trailblazers will host them at Greater Zion Stadium in a rematch later in the season. While it won’t count as a WAC game, this is a big opportunity for Utah Tech to prove they belong at the D-I level and compete with a local rival.
Prediction
Wins (2): Chadron State, SUU (second game)
Losses (9): Sac State, Weber State, SUU (first game), ACU, Northern Iowa, Sam Houston, SFA, Tarleton State, BYU
Utah Tech has only played one full season of Division I football, so some growing pains are not only necessary, but also entirely expected. A chance to face local rival SUU twice gives the Trailblazers a great chance to win a meaningful game for the program as it builds for the future.
The 2022 season begins
The FCS schedule begins on Thursday, September 1, when Weber State hosts Western Oregon and SUU faces St. Thomas in Cedar City. Both teams kick off at 6 p.m. MT, and Weber’s matchup can be seen on ESPN+.
Utah Tech then tangles with No. 7 Sac State on the road Saturday, September 3. The game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. MT and can be viewed on ESPN+.
