For the first time in college football history, both BYU and Utah closed out the season ranked inside the top 15 of the final AP Top 25 poll - a milestone moment for the state’s two powerhouse programs and a testament to just how far each has come.
BYU wrapped up its 12-2 campaign at No. 11, matching its best-ever finish under head coach Kalani Sitake. That ties the Cougars’ 2020 season for the highest end-of-year ranking during Sitake’s tenure - a clear marker of consistency and upward trajectory in Provo. This finish also marks the 21st time BYU has ended a season ranked, adding another chapter to a program that's been steadily carving out its place in the modern college football landscape.
Just a few spots behind, Utah landed at No. 14 after going 11-2 - a fitting sendoff for longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham, who now heads to Michigan. This is Utah’s 10th appearance in the final AP poll under Whittingham, capping off an era defined by physical football, postseason consistency, and a relentless climb from Mountain West roots to national relevance.
His departure marks the end of a remarkable run, but the Utes aren’t exactly stepping into the unknown. Morgan Scalley is set to take over, and expectations remain sky-high.
The top of the poll featured national champion Indiana at No. 1, followed by Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon, and Ohio State rounding out the top five. Big 12 champion Texas Tech checked in at No. 7, continuing a strong showing for the conference, which also placed Houston at No. 22 and TCU at No. 25.
There was also a familiar name making noise elsewhere in the rankings - former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff helped lead Tulane to a No. 18 finish, a solid statement season for the Green Wave and a nice footnote for Cougar fans keeping tabs on alumni.
Michigan, soon to be under Whittingham’s leadership, finished at No. 21 in its final season before the transition. It’s a program with pedigree, and it’ll be fascinating to see how Whittingham’s tough, disciplined style translates to the Big Ten.
One of the more eyebrow-raising notes in the final poll? Notre Dame edged out BYU for the No. 10 spot - despite being left out of the College Football Playoff and opting not to face the Cougars in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Had the two teams swapped places, BYU would’ve landed its first top-10 finish since 1996. That’s the kind of ranking that sticks in the memory - and might’ve been just within reach.
Looking ahead, both programs are already on the national radar for next season. In ESPN’s “way-too-early” top 25 for 2026, BYU holds steady at No. 11, while Utah, now under Scalley, comes in at No.
- If this season was any indication, both teams are positioned to keep pushing the ceiling - and keep making noise on the national stage.
Whether it’s the Cougars’ steady rise under Sitake or the Utes entering a new chapter with momentum, one thing is clear: the state of Utah is no longer just part of the college football conversation - it’s helping shape it.