Both BYU and Utah closed out their regular seasons with wins—but the real question is, did those victories shake up the top 25 rankings? The answer might surprise fans who expected big changes.
After a sluggish start, BYU came alive to dominate UCF 41-21 in Provo, wrapping up their home schedule on a high note. Over in Lawrence, Utah clawed back from a slow start of their own, mounting a determined fourth-quarter comeback to take down Kansas 31-21. Both teams finished strong—yet their positions in the national rankings tell an interesting story.
So, where do BYU and Utah stand now as the regular season dust settles?
BYU and Utah’s Updated Rankings
Despite its convincing win, BYU (11-1 overall, 8-1 Big 12) held steady at No. 11 in both the Associated Press and US LBM Coaches polls. The Cougars’ consistency has earned them a date with Texas Tech in next week’s Big 12 Championship Game—a showdown with major playoff implications.
Utah (10-2, 7-2 Big 12), on the other hand, slipped one spot to No. 15 in both polls despite back-to-back comeback victories. That slight drop might raise eyebrows among fans who believe rallying late should count as grit, not grounds for falling. Is the ranking system undervaluing Utah’s resilience, or are the late-game struggles cause for concern?
Big 12 Teams in the Top 25
The Big 12 continues to prove its depth, with four programs cracking the top 25 this week. Texas Tech leads the conference’s charge, climbing two positions to No. 5 in the AP poll and one place to No. 6 in the Coaches poll after demolishing West Virginia 49-0. The Red Raiders’ explosive finish hints at a momentum surge heading into conference championship weekend.
Arizona (9-3, 6-3 Big 12) also made headlines by re-entering the national conversation. After defeating Arizona State 23-7 in the Territorial Cup, the Wildcats broke into both national polls for the first time this season, landing at No. 22. Could Arizona’s late-season surge make them next year’s Big 12 dark horse?
CFP Rankings: What’s Next?
All eyes now turn to Tuesday evening, when the next-to-last College Football Playoff rankings drop at 5 p.m. MST on ESPN. Last week’s list placed BYU at No. 11 and Utah two spots back at No. 13. Texas Tech led the Big 12 pack at No. 5, followed by Arizona State at No. 20 and Arizona at No. 25. Those numbers are bound to shuffle after this week’s results—and the Wildcats’ win over the Sun Devils all but guarantees movement.
The CFP selection committee will release one more set of rankings next Tuesday before unveiling the final playoff lineup on December 7. But here’s the twist most fans forget: a conference title could dramatically change the postseason picture, especially if BYU or Texas Tech can make a statement in the Big 12 Championship.
Will the Cougars crack the top 10 with a win next week? Can Utah’s comeback magic still earn them a New Year’s Six bowl? Or are the rankings cemented regardless of what happens next? Where do you stand—are the pollsters getting it right, or missing the bigger story? Drop your take in the comments below.
