Utah’s Rise in College Football and the Debate Over Their Championship Prospects

One of the standout moments of the 2026 college football season unfolded when the BYU Cougars triumphed over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Provo. This victory elevated BYU’s profile significantly and emphasized the Big 12 Conference’s importance on a national scale. BYU emerged as a College Football Playoff contender, claiming a spot among the top-5 or top-10 teams. However, their defeat against a mediocre UCF team in Florida dampened anticipation for their clash with the Utah Utes on November 7.

Although some viewers might question the quality of the “Holy War” matchup between BYU and Utah, those who witnessed it saw two of the finest teams in the country. Despite Utah winning 28-20, the game was a fierce battle of rivals. This victory was a significant achievement for a Big 12 Conference team, demonstrating the high level of competition.

On November 7, 2026, Utah quarterback Devon Dampier celebrated a crucial first down during the game against BYU. This performance propelled Utah to No. 2 in the latest AP Top 25 Poll, trailing only the Georgia Bulldogs. With a 9-0 record in a Power 4 conference and victories over a top-15 Houston Cougars and the BYU win, Utah became a strong favorite to reach the playoff. The team is also favored to win the Big 12 Conference and potentially earn a first-round bye, establishing themselves as national title contenders.

However, ESPN’s senior analyst Heather Didich expressed skepticism about Utah’s capabilities. On ESPN’s “Get Up” show, she questioned whether they could be considered a great team. “They are there by default because some other teams above them lost. They have a great quarterback in Devon Dampier. This selection committee has a lot of respect for Utah. They’re a good football team. Are they a great football team? I don’t think we know the answer to that. I hesitate to say yes because they struggled to beat Colorado,” she stated.

BYU, known for thriving in the NIL era, had their own set of challenges in the match against Utah. Didich noted that mistakes by BYU’s Bear Bachmeier contributed to Utah’s win. “This was the first real big win for them, in my mind, and, by the way, BYU and Bear Bachmeier helped them out with four interceptions and a boatload of penalties. So, I still have some questions about Utah in terms of how they stack up against a team like Georgia. But, sitting there at number two, that’s where I expect them to be. They can compete for the national title. I don’t know if they’re good enough to win it,” she added.

Paul Finebaum, another commentator, went further in his critique. “They are not good enough to win it, Greeny,” he declared. “Let me just get that out of the way. I didn’t mean to jump in, but I’ll clear that up for America. They will not win the national championship.” These remarks sparked comparisons between Utah and Georgia, recalling the Bulldogs’ home defeat to Auburn.

Auburn holds a 5-4 record, with losses to Florida, Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, and a narrow victory over Arkansas. Though Georgia’s schedule is considered tough, Utah remains undefeated. Criticizing Utah’s performance while excusing teams like Georgia suggests an evident bias. ESPN’s SP+, an objective efficiency-driven ranking system, further complicates the narrative. While Utah is No. 9, SEC-favorite Alabama ranks No. 8. If Alabama is deemed a contender, Utah should be as well.

With Texas at No. 6, their theoretical favor over Utah by two points implies a marginal difference in strength. Such close games can swing either way. The path to securing a national title is uncertain for Utah. Challenges like injuries or unexpected plays can alter the course of the season. Nonetheless, it’s clear that if Utah carried different conference affiliations, their path to being regarded as potential champions would face fewer hurdles. ESPN’s reaction would likely be different, with a greater push for their higher ranking.

Ian Miller contributes to OutKick, providing analysis on developments in the world of college football.