Utah enters the first College Football Playoff rankings as one of the country’s three remaining undefeated teams, but ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis believes the Utes’ schedule may prevent the committee from fully rewarding their 8-0 record.
Davis predicted on the College GameDay Podcast that the No. 3 Utes will land approximately fifth in the rankings released Tuesday, citing a strength of schedule that he stated ranks in the 80s, which is below the national midway point.
While Davis noted the Utes are a dangerous and physical team capable of competing with anyone, he emphasized that the committee must weigh the team's performance against the quality of their opponents.
Utah's current wins include victories over Idaho, Arkansas, Utah State, Iowa State, Kansas, Colorado, Houston, and Cincinnati. Of those opponents, only Houston, currently ranked No. 17, is included in this week's AP Top 25. Podcast co-host Dan Wetzel questioned the number of quality wins the Utes possess, noting that while Houston is a strong team, the roster's resume is a key factor in evaluation.
The upcoming matchup against No. 7 BYU (7-1) is viewed as a critical opportunity for Utah to secure a differentiating win. Davis suggested that winning against the Cougars, who have three straight wins over the Utes and a victory over Notre Dame, would provide the type of result most contenders lack.
Utah head coach Morgan Scalley stated on Monday that the team is focused on the immediate task rather than the playoff implications. He expressed confidence that his players will not look beyond the upcoming game.
Utah's remaining schedule includes visits to No. 24 Arizona and TCU, followed by a home game against West Virginia to conclude the regular season. A loss in these games would not end Utah's season, as Davis noted the Big 12 Championship Game offers a second chance for the team to enter the playoffs.
The committee is scheduled to release the first rankings on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The BYU vs. Utah game is scheduled to kick off Saturday at noon ET on ABC.
