After eight months away, Utah finally gets to put the questions on the field.
The Utes open the 2026 season Thursday against Idaho at 7 p.m. MDT on ESPNU, and the Morgan Scalley era begins with plenty of attention attached to it. Scalley steps into the job after Kyle Whittingham “stepped down,” then took the Michigan job, setting off a transition that has already reshaped the program.
According to emails obtained by the Deseret News, Whitingham wanted to remain at Utah, but the school countered with a one-year contract for the 2026 season that would have handed Scalley, the coach-in-waiting, “full and final oversight in decision-making for the areas of football recruiting/player personnel staffing and the general manager position effective Feb. 1,” after the 2026 transfer portal closed. The two sides couldn’t agree, Whittingham stepped down, and Scalley moved into the top role.
Since then, the mood around the program has shifted. Scalley has made his mark quickly, from overhauling strength and conditioning to changing practices. A core group stayed put, too: quarterback Devon Dampier, backup quarterback and do-it-all player Byrd Ficklin, running back Wayshawn Parker, linebacker Johnathan Hall, cornerback Elijah Davis and safeties Jackson Bennee and Rabbit Evans all chose to return.
Utah also attacked the transfer portal in the spots that matter most. Scalley went after defensive line, cornerback and receiver, and the result could be one of the better receiver groups the Utes have had in a while. Utah State transfer Braden Pegan looks like the top target and should be Utah’s WR1.
Still, the big question hangs over both lines. The offensive and defensive fronts were rebuilt, and that’s the area most likely to decide how far this team goes. The Utes also have two new coordinators: Utah State’s Kevin McGiven on offense and longtime linebackers coach Colton Swan on defense.
That mix has led to a wide range of national predictions, with some pundits seeing Utah as a Big 12 contender right away and others expecting a more ordinary first year under Scalley.
Brad Crawford of CBS Sports has the Utes going 10-2, with losses to BYU and at TCU, and finishing tied for third in the Big 12. He wrote: “This is Morgan Scalley’s program now, and he’s ready for the challenge.
Considering his coaching career began with the Utes as a graduate assistant in 2007, Scalley’s been around for Utah’s wonder years under the previous regime. Now in charge, the philosophy doesn’t change - physicality first from the line of scrimmage out.
With one of the top quarterback rooms in the country and a strong offensive line, the Utes will force the issue. And if they can beat Houston and BYU, a trip to the playoff is not off the table.
Scalley’s first-year record at Utah could best what Kyle Whittingham manages to do at Michigan.”
Stewart Mandel of The Athletic is far less bullish, projecting Utah to go 7-5 and finish ninth in the conference. He paired Scalley with Kansas State’s Collin Klein as first-year head coaches who may have a tough time in Year 1, writing: “Utah’s Morgan Scalley, Kansas State’s Collin Klein struggle in Year 1.
Two former program legends became first-time head coaches at their alma maters. Scalley retained star QB Devon Dampier but must deal with a lot of staff and player attrition.
Meanwhile, Wildcats QB Avery Johnson has shown he has a low-ish ceiling.”
ESPN’s Bill Connelly landed in the middle, projecting 8.4 wins and a third-place Big 12 finish. His read: “The schedule is friendly enough, with the Utes missing Texas Tech and hosting BYU.
If the Utes are a top-25-level team as projected, they’ll be in the hunt all season. But it wouldn’t be a total surprise if the turnover in the offense and on both lines creates a bit more of a reset than SP+ expects.
We’ll see.”
Phil Steele also has Utah third in the league. He noted that Whittingham stepped down and took key players with him, while pointing out that Utah returns just four starters on each side of the ball.
He added that the Utes bring back both quarterbacks and their top running back from the nation’s No. 2 rush offense, but also face five Big 12 road games and a -4.5 rating in his SMI. “The rebuilt O-line and D-line are my biggest concerns.”
Athlon Sports projects Utah fourth in the Big 12 and sees the transition going more smoothly. The publication wrote: “Utah underwent a major change when Kyle Whitingham stepped away after 21 seasons and accepted the head coaching job at Michigan.
But Scalley has been groomed for the top spot and looks to provide consistency and continuity after several years with the program. He’ll have to do it with a new staff and 18 new faces on the roster in his first season, but his experience with the program should allow for a smooth transition as the Utes pursue a Big 12 title.”
The outside views don’t line up neatly, but they do point to the same thing: Utah enters Scalley’s first season with real talent, real turnover and a lot to prove.
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