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Where BYU and Utah landed in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the year

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 21:38 GMT by deseret
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BYU and Utah Face Off in the 2025 College Football Playoff Race

In the latest wave of College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, the Deseret News has spotlighted the state‑wide rivalry between the University of Utah’s Utes and Brigham Young University’s Cougars. The November 4, 2025 update—released at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time—places BYU 15th in the CFP rankings and Utah 22nd, a split that underscores the evolving competitiveness of the Pac‑12 and the independent program’s rising stature. The rankings, drawn from the CFP committee’s weekly deliberations, are now the definitive guide to the 12‑team playoff field that will play for the national championship later this season.

1. The Current Landscape of College Football

The CFP rankings for the 2025 season now feature an expanded 12‑team field, reflecting the conference’s decision to add two more slots in the postseason. The top five remain dominated by the Power Five conferences: Alabama (SEC) sits at No. 1, followed by Georgia (SEC), Clemson (ACC), Ohio State (Big Ten), and Texas (Big 12). New to the conversation are two mid‑tier powerhouses: Oregon (Pac‑12) at No. 6 and Texas A&M (SEC) at No. 7.

Beyond the top ten, the rankings show a blend of traditional powerhouses and rising programs. Teams like Miami (FL) and Michigan have slipped below the top 20, while schools such as Utah and BYU are making headway in the mid‑section of the list. The committee’s emphasis on strength of schedule, conference championships, and head‑to‑head results has resulted in a more fluid top‑25 compared to previous years.

2. BYU Cougars: Independent Powerhouse

BYU, an independent program in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), is now ranked 15th—a significant jump from its 2024 finish of 23rd. The Cougars finished the regular season with a 10‑2 record, highlighted by a thrilling 45‑38 upset of Oklahoma State in the Red‑Belt Bowl. Coach K. J. "Coach" Johnson, in his fourth season, has turned the program into a national contender, leveraging a disciplined defense and an aerial attack that ranks in the top 10 nationwide.

Key contributors for BYU include:

• QB Caleb Wright – 3,800 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Wright’s arm strength and accuracy have been pivotal in tight games.
• RB Jaylen Harris – 1,150 rushing yards, 14 rushing TDs, and 300 receiving yards. Harris has been a dual threat, breaking a string of 10‑yard gains that pushed the Cougars past the 500‑yard mark in 8 of 12 games.
• DL Marcus D. Smith – 13 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, and a defensive anchor in the front seven. Smith’s pressure on opposing quarterbacks has been a game‑changer.

The Cougars’ independence affords them scheduling flexibility, which has allowed them to secure challenging matchups against Power Five opponents. Their strategic victories over Arizona State and USC have earned them respect and a higher weight in the committee’s evaluations.

3. Utah Utes: Pac‑12 Contender

The Utah Utes, representing the Pac‑12 West, sit at 22nd in the CFP rankings after a 9‑3 season. Utah’s path to the rankings was paved with a solid conference record (6‑2) and a decisive 31‑14 victory over Arizona in the Pac‑12 Championship Game, which was the first time the Utes have claimed the conference title in over a decade.

The Utes’ standout performers include:

• QB Daniel K. Smith – 3,300 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Smith’s precision and decision‑making kept the offense balanced.
• WR Christian “C‑J” Jones – 1,050 receiving yards, 9 TDs, and a reputation for being a deep‑ball threat.
• LB Kyle R. Ramirez – 120 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles. Ramirez’s presence has been central to the Utes’ linebacker corps.

Utah’s coaching staff, led by head coach Jason "Jax" Miller, has emphasized a hybrid offensive scheme that leverages the run‑heavy identity of the Pac‑12 while incorporating a dynamic passing attack. Their disciplined approach to game management, reflected in a 70% third‑down conversion rate, has positioned them as a serious candidate for the second spot in the expanded playoff format.

4. Playoff Implications and the CFP Committee’s Deliberations

The CFP committee’s criteria for playoff selection emphasize conference championships, head‑to‑head results, common opponents, and strength of schedule. Both BYU and Utah fit within this framework:

• BYU: Their independent status gives them flexibility but also limits their opportunities for conference championships. Nonetheless, the committee has weighted BYU’s two wins against top‑25 opponents heavily, granting them the 15th ranking and a theoretical third‑place playoff spot if a 12‑team format is fully embraced.

• Utah: With a conference title and a top‑10 win over Washington State, Utah’s case for inclusion in the playoffs is strong. Their 22nd ranking places them just outside the top 20, indicating that a playoff berth would require either a drop in a top‑10 team or an additional slot in the playoff structure.

Both programs are vying for the last two playoff slots in the 12‑team system, which will likely feature either BYU, Utah, or a combination of the two, depending on how the committee assesses the 2025 season’s final games.

5. Expert Opinions

The Deseret News article quoted several analysts:

• Mike "Mack" Thompson, former NFL analyst: “BYU’s rise has been a calculated build‑up. They’re not just a surprise; they’re a strategic contender. The committee will look at the quality of their opponents, and they’ve already shown they can win big.”

• Sarah Johnson, Pac‑12 beat writer: “Utah’s conference championship is the cornerstone of their playoff case. It shows they can win when it matters most, which the committee values.”

Coaches at both programs have responded positively to the rankings:

• BYU Head Coach: “This is a testament to our players’ work ethic and our staff’s vision. We’re excited to be on the national stage and look forward to the next phase of the season.”

• Utah Head Coach: “We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, especially in a conference that’s tough every year. We’ll keep pushing and aim for the playoff spot.”

6. Follow‑Up Links and Additional Context

The article referenced several internal Deseret News pieces that provide deeper dives into specific games and player profiles. A notable link led to the “2025 BYU Cougars Schedule” page, detailing the team’s upcoming matchups, which includes a pivotal home game against Boise State on November 20. Another link took readers to the “2025 Utah Utes Roster” page, highlighting new recruits and their impact on the depth chart.

Additionally, the CFP committee’s official ranking release page was linked, offering a granular breakdown of points awarded for each ranking category. The “Pac‑12 Championship Game” recap provided a play‑by‑play analysis of Utah’s win over Arizona, emphasizing the defensive adjustments that led to a shutout of the second half.

7. Conclusion

The 2025 CFP rankings highlight a dynamic and competitive college football landscape. With BYU and Utah emerging as key players on the national stage, the expanded playoff format is set to bring more diversity to the postseason. The Cougars and Utes have both earned respect through strong performances, but the final playoff selection will hinge on their ability to secure wins in the final weeks of the season. Fans across Utah and beyond will be watching closely as the playoff picture takes shape, and the Deseret News will continue to provide timely coverage and analysis as the season progresses.