For the first time in program history, both BYU and Utah wrapped up the college football season ranked inside the top 15 of the final AP Top 25 poll - a milestone moment for the state of Utah and a fitting capstone to two standout seasons.
BYU finished at No. 11 after a 12-2 campaign, tying its highest-ever end-of-season ranking under head coach Kalani Sitake. That mark matches the Cougars’ 2020 finish, and it underscores just how far this program has come in the national conversation. Sitake’s squad didn’t just win games - they impressed voters with consistency, toughness, and a brand of football that traveled well across a demanding schedule.
Just a few spots behind, Utah landed at No. 14 after an 11-2 season, marking the Utes’ 10th appearance in the final AP poll under longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham. But this one carries extra weight - it’s the final chapter of the Whittingham era in Salt Lake City, with the veteran coach now heading to Michigan. Ten top-25 finishes is no small feat, and this latest one is a testament to the program's sustained excellence and identity under Whittingham’s leadership.
At the top of the poll, Indiana claimed the No. 1 spot as national champions, followed by Miami at No. 2, Ole Miss at No.
3, Oregon at No. 4, and Ohio State rounding out the top five. It was a year where traditional powers and rising contenders collided, and the final rankings reflect that mix of old guard and new blood.
Texas Tech, fresh off a Big 12 title, finished at No. 7, giving the conference a strong presence in the top 10. Houston (No. 22) and TCU (No. 25) also made the cut, further validating the Big 12’s depth in a season that saw plenty of shakeups across the Power Five landscape.
Elsewhere, former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff helped guide Tulane to a No. 18 finish - a solid showing for a program that’s been building steadily in recent years. Michigan, preparing for its post-Harbaugh and now post-interim phase under Whittingham, landed at No. 21.
Historically, this marks BYU’s 21st time finishing a season ranked, while Utah now has 12 such finishes - both programs continuing to build legacies that resonate beyond the Mountain West footprint they once called home.
One of the more eyebrow-raising placements in the final poll came just ahead of BYU, with Notre Dame landing at No. 10.
The Irish, despite missing the College Football Playoff and opting out of a potential Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup against BYU, still edged out the Cougars in the final rankings. Had the two teams swapped spots, it would have marked BYU’s first top-10 finish since 1996 - a milestone that just slipped through their fingers.
Looking ahead, both programs are already generating preseason buzz. ESPN’s “way-too-early” top 25 for 2026 has BYU holding steady at No. 11, while Utah - now under new leadership with defensive coordinator-turned-head coach Morgan Scalley - checks in at No.
- It’s a sign that expectations remain high on both sides of the rivalry.
The 2025-26 season will be remembered not just for wins and rankings, but for what it signaled: a new era for Utah, a continued rise for BYU, and a shared moment of national relevance for two programs that have long chased respect - and are now earning it in full.