Utah’s latest win — a 31-6 decision over Wyoming Saturday night that ensured the Utes have an unbeaten record heading into conference play — had the team moving up the national top 25 rankings again.
The Utes jumped four spots to No. 16 in the latest Associated Press poll released Sunday, with 573 points. Utah also leapt three spots to No. 18 in the LBM Coaches poll.
Utah’s win, along with Texas Tech beating Oregon State 45-14, sets up a top 20 matchup next weekend.
The Red Raiders came in at No. 17 in the AP poll and No. 16 in the LBM Coaches rankings.
The Utes host Texas Tech next Saturday at 10 a.m. MDT. “Big Noon Kickoff” is headed to Salt Lake City for the game.
BYU, which was idle this week, received 94 points in the latest AP rankings and continues to sit one spot outside the top 25. In the LBM Coaches poll, the Cougars fell out of the top 25 — they were No. 25 last week — and are two points behind Auburn for 25th in those rankings.
Iowa State continues to be the highest-ranked Big 12 team. After holding on to beat Arkansas State 24-16, the Cyclones moved up two spots to No. 12 in the AP rankings and one spot to No. 13 in the LBM Coaches poll.
One week after falling out of the AP rankings, Arizona State also fell from No. 24 in the LBM Coaches poll to out of the top 25 despite after beating Texas State 34-15.
The top three teams in the AP rankings stayed the same, with Ohio State at No. 1, Penn State at No. 2 and LSU at No. 3. Miami and Georgia each jumped one spot, to No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, as Oregon fell two spots to No. 6.
In the LBM Coaches poll, the top 5 stayed the same at included Ohio State at No. 1, Penn State at No. 2, Georgia at No. 3, LSU at No. 4 and Oregon at No. 5.