The BYU Cougars and Utah Utes are suddenly in the thick of the College Football Playoff conversation — not as long shots, but as legitimate contenders. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the CFP committee dropped its third rankings of the season, and for the first time since December 5, 2021, both teams sat back-to-back in the top 12: BYU at No. 11, Utah at No. 12. It’s not just a coincidence. It’s a statement. Both teams won big over the weekend, and the committee noticed — hard.
How They Got Here
BYU’s 9-1 record (6-1 in the Big 12) speaks for itself. Their lone loss? A 31-28 nail-biter to Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock back in October. Since then, they’ve crushed every opponent, including a dramatic 38-31 win over then-No. 17 Boise State that sent shockwaves through the rankings. Utah, at 8-2, has been even more impressive given their losses — both came against the conference’s elite: a 24-21 defeat to BYU in Provo on October 26, and a 41-38 overtime thriller against Texas Tech. The committee didn’t punish them for those losses. In fact, they rewarded them.That’s the twist. While the Associated Press and Coaches Polls had Utah at No. 15, the CFP committee placed them at No. 12 — four spots higher. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Utes a 27.9% chance to make the playoff, better than every ACC team except Virginia. Why? Strength of schedule. The committee sees Utah’s losses not as failures, but as proof they’ve played the toughest road in the country.
The Head-to-Head Factor
Here’s the thing: BYU beat Utah. Not just won — dominated in the second half, holding the Utes to just 3 points after halftime. That win, on October 26, isn’t just a footnote. It’s the tiebreaker. If both teams finish 11-1, BYU stays ahead. No matter what the polls say. No matter how many national pundits argue Utah’s defense is better. The committee’s rules are clear: head-to-head wins override everything else in the final tiebreak.Utah’s coach, Kyle Whittingham, knows it. He didn’t downplay the loss. After the game, he told reporters: “We got outplayed. We’ve got to be better. And we will be.” That honesty? It’s earned respect. The Utes have won six straight since that defeat, including road wins at Kansas State and West Virginia — games where most teams would’ve folded.
The Big 12’s Playoff Pipeline
This isn’t just a BYU-Utah story. It’s a Big 12 story. With Texas Tech at No. 5, BYU at No. 11, and Utah at No. 12, the conference has three teams in the top 12. That’s unprecedented. And it’s not just about numbers. It’s about credibility. The Big 12 has gone from a league mocked for parity to one that’s proving it can compete with the SEC and Big Ten on the biggest stage.Even the Group of Five is watching. Tulane Green Wave, led by former BYU QB Jake Retzlaff, now sits at No. 24 — the highest-ranked non-Power Five team. But even they know: if the Big 12 sends three teams, the door for the Group of Five closes tighter than ever.
What’s Next? The Final Push
BYU’s path? Beat New Mexico, then face No. 10 Notre Dame in the regular season finale. Win both, and they’re in. Utah’s path? Beat Colorado, then travel to No. 15 USC on December 5. Win both, and they’re in — but only if BYU loses. If BYU wins, Utah’s only hope is a one-loss ACC champion (like Miami) being left out — and the committee deciding Utah’s resume is stronger.That’s the brutal reality. The ACC champion gets an automatic bid, no matter their record. Miami is 9-2 and plays in the ACC title game on December 6. If they win, they’re in. If they lose, and Utah wins out, the committee has to choose: Miami’s automatic bid, or Utah’s strength of schedule? That’s the decision that could break a thousand hearts.
Why This Matters Beyond the Ranks
This isn’t just about trophies or TV money. It’s about legacy. For BYU, it’s their first real shot at a playoff berth since 2018. For Utah, it’s their 46th week in the CFP rankings — tied for eighth all-time. For the Big 12, it’s proof they can compete with the giants. And for fans? It’s the most exciting rivalry season in decades.The committee’s message is clear: wins against elite teams matter more than wins against cupcakes. Utah’s two losses? They’re not stains. They’re badges. BYU’s one loss? It’s a footnote. Not a flaw.
So here we are. Two teams. One playoff spot. One head-to-head result. And a conference that’s suddenly in the driver’s seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can both BYU and Utah make the College Football Playoff?
Technically yes — but only if the ACC champion loses its title game. The CFP allows four at-large bids. If Miami wins the ACC, they take one of those spots, leaving only three for others. With Texas Tech at No. 5, BYU at No. 11, and Utah at No. 12, the committee would have to choose between Utah and Miami. Utah’s strength of schedule gives them a strong case, but Miami’s automatic bid is a hard barrier.
Why is Utah ranked higher than in the AP and Coaches Polls?
The CFP committee prioritizes strength of schedule and quality wins over media perception. Utah lost to No. 5 Texas Tech and No. 11 BYU — two of the best teams in the country. The AP and Coaches Polls, influenced by public opinion and less rigorous metrics, still see Utah’s two losses as a red flag. The committee sees them as proof Utah belongs among the elite.
What happens if BYU beats Notre Dame and Utah beats USC?
BYU stays ahead of Utah due to their head-to-head win, meaning BYU would be the higher-seeded team. Both could still make the playoff — but only if the ACC champion loses. If Miami wins, the committee would likely pick BYU over Utah because of the tiebreaker, even if Utah’s resume looks stronger on paper. The head-to-head rule is absolute.
Could Texas Tech’s loss to BYU hurt their playoff chances?
Not likely. Texas Tech lost to BYU in overtime on October 19, but they’ve since crushed every other opponent, including a 45-17 win over No. 18 Oklahoma. The committee values overall dominance and wins against ranked teams — and Texas Tech has more of those than any other Big 12 team besides BYU. Their loss to BYU is seen as a close game against the second-best team in the conference — not a weakness.
How does Jake Retzlaff’s performance at Tulane impact BYU and Utah’s chances?
It doesn’t directly — but it indirectly helps. Retzlaff led Tulane to a 9-2 record and a No. 24 ranking, making them the top Group of Five contender. That means the committee has less incentive to reward a lower-ranked G5 team, keeping the playoff field focused on Power Five conferences. For BYU and Utah, that means fewer distractions — and a clearer path to the top 12.
When will we know if BYU or Utah make the playoff?
The final CFP rankings will be announced on Sunday, December 7, 2025, after all conference championship games. The ACC title game between Miami and Clemson is set for December 6. If Miami wins, they’re in — and Utah’s fate hinges on whether the committee believes their resume beats Miami’s. If Miami loses, Utah’s path opens wide — but only if they win at USC.
