BYU’s opening statement was loud enough to keep the Cougars in the AP Top 25 conversation, but not loud enough to move them up. After a 63-7 rout of FCS Utah Tech, BYU slid to No. 15 in Tuesday’s first rankings of the season, one spot behind where it landed in the preseason poll.
The Cougars got plenty of fireworks from freshman Legend Glasker, who made his debut count with three touchdowns. He scored twice as a receiver and once on the ground in a performance that gave BYU an early jolt of momentum after last year’s championship appearance. Lehi teammate Devaughn Eka added 59 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own as BYU overwhelmed Utah Tech on both sides of the ball.
Even with that kind of margin, the Cougars dropped behind No. 13 Texas Tech in the Big 12 pecking order.
The Red Raiders also slipped one spot from the preseason after handling FCS Abilene Christian 33-10. BYU and Texas Tech do not meet this season, but the two have been framed as favorites in the conference.
BYU’s next test comes against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT on FOX. Arizona is still just outside the AP Top 25, but it is receiving votes, and the early conference matchup could start to sort out the Big 12 hierarchy.
Utah’s start was even more convincing in the rankings. Morgan Scalley’s debut as head coach went about as smoothly as possible, with the Utes rolling past FCS Idaho 66-14 on Thursday night. Wayshawn Parker set the tone early with the first touchdown of the night and finished with three scores in a strong outing for the junior running back.
The bigger story for Utah was the variety on offense. The Utes spread the production around, mixed in creative looks and piled up 633 total yards, the seventh-best total in program history. That kind of output also offered an early glimpse of what Kevin McGiven may bring to an offense that has usually leaned heavily on the run.
Utah moved up to No. 20 in the AP poll, rising one place from its preseason slot at No. 21. That keeps the Utes as the third-highest ranked Big 12 team, behind Texas Tech and BYU.
The next challenge is a big one: Arkansas visits Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. MT on ESPN. It will be the first meeting between the schools and another rare SEC appearance in Salt Lake City.
Across the Big 12, four teams stayed in the rankings after opening weekend. Texas Tech leads the group at No. 13, followed by BYU at No.
15, Utah at No. 20 and Houston at No. 22 after beating Oregon State. Arizona and Arizona State are the only other conference teams still receiving votes.
In Other News...
Utah May Finally Have The Offensive Line Arkansas Didn't Want To See
Utah looks like it could get a timely boost up front heading into its next game against Arkansas, with the offensive line expected to be close to full strength. Keith Olson and Isaiah Garcia are both likely to play after sitting out the opener, and Olson is expected to slide into the starting job at right guard in place of Roger Alderman. For a team that wants to lean on its front, that kind of stability matters.
Daniel Bray is also working his way back after suffering a concussion in the previous game, and he is currently in protocol with a chance to return soon. If Utah can get its line intact and Bray back in the mix, it would give the Utes more options as they prepare for a matchup that should put plenty of pressure on the people in the trenches. [Read more 🡒]
Utahs Home Opener Carries Far More Than A Week 2 Feel
Rice-Eccles Stadium gets a heavyweight atmosphere Saturday night when Utah opens its home slate against Arkansas in a nationally televised matchup that already feels bigger than a routine Week 2 date. Both teams arrive at 1-0, and the Utes will fold in their annual Red Out as the stadium prepares for a prime-time stage that should tell plenty about where this team stands early in the season.
The night also carries an added layer of celebration, with former safety Eric Weddle set to be honored as part of Utahs Ring of Honor. Between the crowd, the TV window and the setting, this one has the feel of an event game in every sense, and the details around how fans can follow it across TV, streaming and radio only underline how much attention it is drawing. [Read more 🡒]