They did it again! In a heart-pounding display of determination, the BYU Cougars have preserved their perfect season in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. But here's where it gets controversial—while their latest ranking climb rewards their effort, it sets the stage for what could be the most contentious matchup of their year.
Down in the Arizona desert, BYU football faced what seemed like imminent defeat, only to rally for a breathtaking 33-27 victory that wasn't decided until the second overtime period. This nail-biting win didn't just keep their record unblemished; it secured their spot in a postseason bowl game and carved their name into the program's history books. And this is the part most people miss: for the first time ever, the Cougars have started consecutive seasons with a flawless 6-0 record.
The team's offensive performance was nothing short of spectacular, with the ground game proving particularly devastating. LJ Martin, in what's becoming a truly remarkable season, bulldozed his way to a team-best 162 rushing yards and crossed into the end zone for a crucial touchdown. His efforts, combined with those of his teammates, contributed to a massive 258 total rushing yards for BYU. Meanwhile, Parker Kingston demonstrated incredible efficiency in the passing game, hauling in five catches for 117 yards and a touchdown of his own.
Now, here's where the plot thickens in a way that's sure to divide fans. As a direct result of this hard-fought victory, BYU ascended in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, climbing three spots from No. 18 to claim the No. 15 position. But they won't be celebrating alone—their longtime rivals, the Utah Utes, have stormed back into the rankings, setting up a high-stakes, ranked-versus-ranked showdown this coming Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Utah blasted their way back into the national conversation with a commanding 42-10 win over an Arizona State team that was missing their key player, Sam Leavitt. The Utes' quarterback, Devon Dampier, put on a show that harkened back to a different era of football, rushing for 120 yards and three touchdowns. This performance made him the first Utah QB since Travis Wilson in 2015 to break the 100-yard rushing barrier in a single game. After spending a few weeks outside the Top 25, Utah reappeared at No. 23, perfectly positioning this in-state rivalry for a primetime spectacle (scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT on FOX).
This creates a fascinating dynamic within the Big 12 conference, which now boasts four ranked teams. Texas Tech continues to lead the pack, moving up two spots to No. 7 after a statement win over Kansas. Cincinnati also edged upward to No. 24 this week. The conference saw some reshuffling, however, with both Arizona State and Iowa State falling out of the rankings entirely following weekend losses, and no other Big 12 teams currently receiving votes.
At the very top of the national landscape, Ohio State maintains its grip on the No. 1 position, collecting all 50 first-place votes after defeating a ranked Illinois team. The Buckeyes are followed by No. 2 Miami, with Indiana, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss rounding out the top five.
So here's a question that's bound to spark some passionate debate in the comments: Does BYU truly deserve their No. 15 ranking after such a close call against an unranked opponent, or was their dramatic, double-overtime win exactly the kind of character-building performance that proves they belong? And with Utah looking equally formidable, which team has the real advantage heading into this high-pressure rivalry game? We want to hear your take—who are you putting your money on this Saturday?
