Utah’s bye comes at an optimal time on the Utes’ schedule.
The Utes are 4-1 at the first of two byes with wins over UCLA, Cal Poly, Wyoming and West Virginia, the lone loss coming at home against Texas Tech.
Utah’s four wins haven’t exactly been against a murderer’s row of opponents. UCLA may be one of the worst Power Four teams in the country; Wyoming isn’t projected to be at the top of the Mountain West Conference; and West Virginia may finish in the bottom two in the Big 12 standings.
So far, however, the Utes have done what good teams do — beat lesser opponents — but they haven’t hit an elite level yet.
In their one big test this season, against a team that may win the Big 12, the Utes lost 34-10.
Utah was beaten in all phases by Texas Tech, struggled to move the ball all game long and turned the ball over four times, but were still down by just seven in the fourth quarter before the Red Raiders pulled away.
As the Utes hit the bye week, here’s a look at its remaining schedule, plus how it stacks up against others in the Big 12 Conference.
Vs. Arizona State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12)
ESPN matchup predictor: 66.2% Utah
Utah and Arizona State are both coming off bye weeks, which means each coaching staff will have had two weeks to prepare for this game. For the Utes, this game, and the one after it, could be the most important on their schedule.
Go 2-0 in that stretch, and Utah is still in the Big 12 title race down the stretch, but go 0-2, and they’re effectively eliminated.
While the Sun Devils don’t have running back Cam Skattebo anymore, they have one of the best receivers in the nation in Jordyn Tyson and their offense is putting up 423.2 yards per game, while the defense is allowing just 321.
ASU isn’t as dominant a force as it was last year, but until someone knocks them off, they’re the current favorite, along with Texas Tech, to play in the Big 12 championship game.
At BYU (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)
ESPN matchup predictor: 62.8% BYU
This could end up being Utah’s toughest remaining game — at least that’s what ESPN’s matchup predictor thinks. The Oct. 18 rivalry game in Provo is the only game on the schedule that the Utes are not favored in.
As always, the rivalry game carries plenty of intrigue, and this year, could play a key part in the Big 12 championship race if Utah arrives in Provo 5-1.
Freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier is exceeding expectations, aided by a rushing attack that’s generating 251.2 yards per game, led by LJ Martin.
Former Ute coach Jay Hill once again has a great defense that ranks No. 7 nationally in yards allowed (226.8) and No. 4 in scoring defense (9.25 points per game).
Can the Utes rattle Bachmeier and snap the Cougars’ two-game rivalry winning streak in the most hostile environment they’ll play in all year?
Oct. 18 carries a lot of intrigue and importance in the Big 12 race.
Vs. Colorado (2-3, 0-2 Big 12)
ESPN matchup predictor: 78.9% Utah
Unlike last season, when Colorado beat the Utes 49-24 at Folsom Field, Utah has a much better chance to beat the Buffaloes this season.
Star quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way phenom Travis Hunter are gone, and as a result, the Buffaloes are 0-2 in conference play, though they did take BYU down to the wire.
The Buffaloes have tried Kaidon Salter and Ryan Staub out at quarterback, but are likely to go with Salter against the Utes.
Colorado’s offense (No. 90 in the nation) and defense (No. 110) both need to improve if the Buffaloes want to get back to a bowl game, and they took a step forward against BYU.
Vs. Cincinnati (3-1, 1-0 Big 12)
ESPN matchup predictor: 75.5% Utah
Is Cincinnati ready to turn the corner? The Bearcats posted two straight losing seasons in their transition from the American Athletic Conference, but have a 3-1 record, including an impressive 37-34 victory at Kansas.
Their only loss was a season-opening 20-17 defeat to Nebraska at Arrowhead Stadium — a de facto road game.
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby has led the way with 1,043 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air and 227 yards and four scores on the ground, powering the Bearcats to a top-17 offense, though the Bearcats’ defense ranks No. 65 (356 yards allowed per game).
Preseason, this looked like one of the easier games on the schedule, but it’s turned into a possible tough one for the Utes.
At Baylor (3-2, 1-1 Big 12)
ESPN matchup predictor: 59.1% Utah
Preseason, I ranked this game as the Utes’ second-toughest of the season. While it still could turn out that way, Baylor isn’t quite the juggernaut they were predicted to be in 2025.
The Bears lost 38-24 at home vs. Auburn, then lost 27-24 to ASU at home.
Baylor’s defense ranks No. 90 in the country, but its offense ranks No. 11. Sawyer Robertson has lived up to expectations with 1,713 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Bears’ offense is dangerous, and a November trip to Waco could be tricky.
Vs. Kansas State (2-3, 1-1 Big 12)
ESPN matchup predictor: 77.2% Utah
Some publications picked Kansas State to win the Big 12, and while that still technically is in play, the Wildcats have not looked the part. Kansas State lost the Ireland matchup to Iowa State, 24-21, and have also lost to both Army and Arizona, scoring 21 points or less in their three losses.
Kansas State notched its first Big 12 win and reignited the offense a bit with a 34-20 win over UCF, but still ranks No. 102 in the nation in total offense. Quarterback Avery Johnson has been disappointing so far this season.
The Wildcats’ defense is middle of the pack, so there’s lots of room for improvement.
Kansas State faces a big test at Baylor this weekend, which will tell a lot about this team.
At Kansas (3-2, 1-1 Big 12)
ESPN matchup predictor: 51.9% Utah
This game was always going to be tough because of the circumstances — a short week, a flight on Thanksgiving and a 10 a.m. MT game.
Then, factor in that it’s against Kansas, and this one could be tough for the Utes to win.
A lot could be on the line, too, if things break extremely right for the Utes in the previous six games.
When he’s on, Kansas dual-threat quarterback Jalon Daniels (1,262 yards, 16 TDs through the air; 214yards, one TD on the ground) is one of the best in the nation. Even in the Jayhawks’ loss against Cincinnati, Daniels threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns, but his defense let him down.
Kansas has a top-35 offense, but its No. 85 defense could prevent the Jayhawks from going to the Big 12 title game.
Still, the Utes will have their hands full in the season finale.
Big 12 remaining strength of schedule rankings (per ESPN)
- West Virginia (29th nationally)
- BYU (37th nationally)
- Utah (39th nationally)
- Kansas State (40th nationally)
- UCF (42nd nationally)
- Kansas (43rd nationally)
- Iowa State (44th nationally)
- Oklahoma State (45th nationally)
- Colorado (46th nationally)
- Arizona State (47th nationally)
- Cincinnati (49th nationally)
- Arizona (51st nationally)
- Baylor (52nd nationally)
- TCU (53rd nationally)
- Texas Tech (57th nationally)
- Houston (58th nationally)