BYU’s win over Notre Dame in Provo was one of the defining results of the 2026 college football season. It strengthened the Cougars’ playoff résumé and showed that the Big 12 could compete on the national stage.
After that victory, BYU looked like a serious College Football Playoff contender and a potential top-five or top-10 team. But a disappointing loss to an average UCF squad in Florida dulled some of the excitement heading into its November 7 rivalry game against Utah.
The matchup, known as the “Holy War,” still showed why both teams are considered among the country’s best. Utah won 28-20 in a tense, closely fought game, giving the Big 12 another significant result.
Utah’s comeback lifted the Utes to No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25, behind Georgia. They are 9-0 in a Power Four conference and have beaten both a strong Houston team ranked in the top 15 and BYU. Utah is now favored to reach the playoff, win the Big 12 and potentially earn a first-round bye. On paper, the Utes have a credible case as national championship contenders.
ESPN analyst Heather Didich was less convinced during a recent appearance on “Get Up.” She argued that Utah’s high ranking was partly the result of other teams losing, while acknowledging the talent of quarterback Devon Dampier and the selection committee’s regard for the Utes.
Didich said Utah’s close game against Colorado left her unsure whether the team was truly among the country’s elite. She also said BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s four interceptions and the Cougars’ many penalties helped Utah secure what she considered its first major win.
She questioned whether Utah could match up with Georgia, adding that the Utes could compete for a national title but might not be good enough to win one.
Paul Finebaum was more certain, saying Utah would not win the national championship.
Georgia has also had a notable stumble: the Bulldogs lost at home to Auburn, which is now 5-4. Auburn has since lost to Florida, Tennessee, LSU and Ole Miss, and narrowly beaten a struggling Arkansas team at home.
Georgia may have faced a tougher schedule, but Utah has made it through its schedule without a loss. Critics who focus on Utah’s close game against Colorado while overlooking Georgia’s defeat, or other teams’ missteps, may be applying different standards.
ESPN’s SP+ ratings offer another point of comparison. The system adjusts for opponents and measures performance across offense, defense and special teams. Utah sits at No. 9, just behind Alabama at No. 8. Texas is No. 6, but its rating suggests the Longhorns would be only slight favorites over Utah on a neutral field—close to a toss-up.
Whether Utah can win a title is impossible to know yet. The playoff is a long path, and injuries or a single turning point can change a team’s season. Still, Utah’s chances might be discussed differently if the Utes played in another conference. A team with the same record and résumé could be getting far more attention.
