BYU took the biggest stage of the weekend and didn’t blink.
In a top-10 showdown at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday evening, the Cougars delivered when plenty outside the building expected them to come up short. It wasn’t a fluke, either.
BYU looked ready from the opening moments, forced Notre Dame to play from behind, and kept its composure even after the Fighting Irish moved ahead. In a weekend full of shakeups, that win felt like the one that carried the most weight.
That’s enough for BYU to claim the top spot on this week’s AP ballot.
- BYU
A case could be made for Miami, but BYU got my vote at No. 1.
The Cougars came out with purpose against Notre Dame and never looked rattled, even when the game turned against them for a stretch. Right now, nobody looks entirely safe at the top, but BYU has as strong a claim as anyone.
- Miami
Miami needed extra time to get past Florida State in a rivalry game, and I don’t discount a team that has to scrap for a win like that. In a chaotic weekend across the country, the Hurricanes stay at No. 2 on my ballot.
- Ohio State
Ohio State also had a real argument for No. 1 after beating Indiana, but the Buckeyes’ day was not clean. They also lost their starting QB for an undetermined amount of time. Jeremiah Smith remains a huge piece of the equation, but Ohio State needs more.
- Georgia
Georgia’s loss to its rival keeps the Bulldogs near the top rather than tumbling too far. I thought this might be the kind of Saturday that confirmed Georgia as a dominant force again, but instead it turned into a reminder that there’s still work to do. Even so, the Bulldogs are still one of the best teams in the country.
- Notre Dame
The clock situation at the end of the BYU game was strange, to say the least. If Notre Dame had one more play, would it have changed the outcome?
We’ll never know. What is clear is that the Fighting Irish have plenty of talent, and No. 5 feels like the right place after a tight road loss.
- UCLA
UCLA keeps stacking wins, and under Bob Chesney, this team deserves attention. The Bruins are good, and it’s time people started treating them that way. They’re also the last undefeated Big Ten team, which is a surprising sentence to write.
- Ole Miss
Ole Miss looked complete in its win over Missouri. The Rebels controlled the game and looked a lot like the team many expected at the start of the season. The Florida loss still hangs out there as an odd note, but Saturday was a strong answer.
- Texas Tech
This was the first week Texas Tech really looked like a formidable team. Maybe Arizona State is simply that bad, but the Red Raiders delivered a blowout and finally looked convincing. I’ve had them behind BYU and Utah for most of the season, but this was the first game that made me think Texas Tech could be legit.
- Indiana
Indiana is not the same team it was last season, but it’s still close enough to matter. The loss to Ohio State isn’t anything to hang your head about, even with the mistake in the end zone. The missed toe top and two missed field goals were costly, especially for a program that usually doesn’t make those kinds of errors under Curt Cignetti.
- Utah
Sometimes you just tip your cap to the other side. Utah wasn’t perfect, but it found a way to win on the road and stay undefeated.
The Utes have a solid roster and more in the tank, and I moved them down one spot this week. The bigger test comes Saturday at home against Houston.
In Other News...
Colorado Offense Hits Another Low As Bye Week Pressure Builds
Utah controlled the game from the start against Colorado, and by halftime the Buffaloes were scrambling just to keep the scoreboard from getting uglier. The Utes owned time of possession and first downs on the way to a 13-0 lead, while Colorados defense at least managed one bright spot with an interception to slow the bleeding.
Even so, the bigger story for Utah was how comfortably it dictated the pace, a reminder of why the Utes carry the nations longest winning streak at 11 games. Colorados offense never found much rhythm, and the gap in execution was obvious long before the break, with the Buffaloes getting more help from penalties than from their own offense at one point. [Read more 🡒]
Utah Now Faces A Surging BYU Team With Everything Raised
BYU left South Bend with a result that will ripple well beyond one Saturday night, and for Utah, it only adds more urgency to a rivalry matchup that already carried plenty of heat. The Cougars managed to beat Notre Dame despite being without running back LJ Martin, leaning on quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a defense that hung around long enough to keep the Irish under pressure all game.
The finish had the kind of late-game edge that can reshape how a team is viewed, especially when it comes against a ranked name on the road. A targeting penalty added to the drama, and BYU still found a way to close it out with one final defensive stand, the sort of response Utah will have to reckon with as the stakes keep rising. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Saban Sees One Reason Utah's Offense Is So Tough To Prepare For
Nick Saban has spent a career dissecting offenses, so when he singled out Utah on ESPNs College GameDay, it carried some weight. During his Coach Sabans Film Room segment, he pointed to the Utes habit of using multiple quarterbacks, shifting formations and unusual backfields as part of what makes them such a difficult team to get ready for.
The real headache, at least from a defensive perspective, is how much flexibility Utah has built into its personnel and play design. Saban highlighted the versatility of players like Devon Dampier, Byrd Ficklin, Wayshawn Parker and Semi Taulanga, along with a unique option concept that keeps opponents guessing about where the ball is going and who is actually handling it. [Read more 🡒]