The Utah Utes just handed BYU a tough loss, yet ESPN analysts are already writing them off. Utah won 28-20 on Saturday night in Salt Lake City, but the national conversation has shifted to doubt. Senior analyst Heather Dinich told viewers on ESPN’s “Get Up” show that the Utes are not ready to win the national championship. Dinich pointed to a struggle against Colorado as proof that Utah lacks the necessary edge to beat the best.
Paul Finebaum was even more blunt about the Utes’ chances. He told the show that Utah simply cannot win the national championship. The Utes are currently ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25 Poll, sitting behind only the Georgia Bulldogs. Despite the high ranking, some ESPN analysts remain skeptical of Utah’s championship chances.
The Reality of the Win
Dinich argued that the victory over BYU was aided by mistakes from the other side. She noted that BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw four interceptions and committed a boatload of penalties. Dinich admitted Utah has a great quarterback in Devon Dampier but questioned if the team is truly a “great football team.” She hesitated to say yes because of their earlier struggles. The Utes finished with 328 yards of total offense and held BYU scoreless in the second half. The defense kept Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin in check during his return to action.
Utah is the only unbeaten team in the Big 12 Conference with a 9-0 record. They have beaten quality opponents like the Houston Cougars and now BYU. The team plays with the 35th-ranked 2026 recruiting class, which includes only two four-star players. This underdog status makes the skepticism from national analysts even more frustrating for local fans. The Utes have found a way to win without the star power that other top teams possess.
Control Their Own Destiny
While the pundits doubt them, Utah controls their own path to the playoffs. The team has only one ranked opponent left on the schedule, a two-loss Arizona squad. After that, they travel to Texas to play the Horned Frogs before finishing the season at home against West Virginia. Georgia, ranked No. 1, must still compete against two ranked opponents and endure a difficult series of matches. The Utes have a clear shot to reach the top spot if they keep winning.
The rivalry game itself felt different this year, with both coaches praising the respectful atmosphere. Head coach Morgan Scalley said, according to Yahoo Sports, “(Kalani and I) wanted to make it about what’s good.” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake added that he was “really proud of our program and our fans and really proud of Utah and the response of the back and forth that we’ve had.” Even former BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall called the management of the rivalry “as healthy as it’s been for a long, long time.” Utah fans and BYU fans alike noted the lack of toxicity on the field and in the stands.
The Utes remain one of two unbeaten teams in the AP Top 25, alongside UCLA. They received 12 first-place votes in the latest poll, marking the highest ranking for a Utah team since 2008. The team now faces a two-loss Arizona team next.
