Utah’s playoff hopes continue to hang in the balance. A few things need to go right for the Utes to make the college football playoff this year. But some pundits believe Utah may not have a chance after all.
The Snub Heard ‘Round Salt Lake
On3’s Ari Wasserman dropped his latest CFP contenders list, and it’s a brutal reality check for Utah fans. While 19 teams still have a pulse in the playoff hunt, only two Big 12 schools made the cut: Texas Tech and BYU.
The Utes? Completely invisible.
That’s the same Utah team hyped as a legitimate Big 12 contender during preseason. Now they’re sitting at No. 13 in the CFP rankings while getting ghosted by national media narratives.
Red Raiders and Cougars Control Their Destiny
Meanwhile, Texas Tech and BYU are both 11-1 and headed to the Big 12 Championship Game. They’ve earned their spots through wins, not hype.
Wasserman’s not cutting the playoff bracket, but his job is tracking the national conversation pulse. If you’re not on his radar, you’re not in the room where decisions get made.
Big 12 Hierarchy Has Shifted
This isn’t about brand names anymore. It’s about December résumés and actual wins. Texas Tech and BYU handled business without the usual SEC or Big Ten media boost.
Utah fans can argue they’re only a few spots away from playoff contention, but perception matters as much as rankings in college football’s final stretch.
What’s Next
The Big 12 Championship Game will determine everything. If the game stays competitive, both Texas Tech and BYU have strong cases for playoff inclusion. Utah needs chaos elsewhere and a miracle weekend to climb back into serious consideration.
