BYU and Utah are competing for the Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff berth, while the rest of Utah’s teams try to close 2025 with some wins.
BYU 9-1 (6-1 in the Big 12)
The BYU Cougars rebounded from their loss to Texas Tech in a big way. They played their most complete game of the season in their victory over TCU. The Cougars won 44-13. Their defense shut down TCU’s passing game, and their offense got back on track after being missing in action against Texas Tech. BYU plays Cincinnati, on the road in Ohio, this week.
Utah 8-2 (5-2 in the Big 12)
The Utes are right with Texas Tech and BYU as they look to make it difficult for the College Football Playoff Committee to continue to disrespect the Big 12. Utah scorched Baylor, 55-28. With Kansas State and Kansas left on the schedule, Utah should finish 10-2 and have a case for an at-large playoff berth.
Utah State 5-5 (3-3 in the Mountain West)
Sin City was more like Heartbreak City for the Aggies. They battled with a tough UNLV team, who is, at the moment, looking like best team in the Mountain West this year. A 29-26 double overtime loss is the kind of game that can beat a team twice. USU has a tall task ahead of them. They play 7-3 Fresno State next, and then 6-4 Boise State. They have to beat one of them to play in the postseason this year.
Weber State 3-8 (1-6 in the Big Sky)
Firing Mickey Mental this week didn’t help Weber State out on the field. They played at Idaho State, who came into the game 4-6 and struggling. The Wildcats were the cure for whatever ailed the ISU Bengals, as Weber would leave Pocatello with a 31-3 loss. That tends to happen when you rush for only 35 yards on 23 carries as a team. Weber State plays their final game of 2025 next week at home against Northern Arizona.
Utah Tech 2-9 (1-6 in the United Athletic Conference)
Another rough football game for the Trailblazers ends in defeat. They fell on the road 23-0 to West Georgia. They’ll be at home for their final game of the season on November 22nd. They’ll play Eastern Kentucky. It’s gotta be tough for these guys to keep going out there and playing hard when a season has been this bad.
Southern Utah 6-5 (5-2 in the United Athletic Conference)
SUU had another tough win against Central Arkansas, prevailing 28-21. It was their fifth straight win after five straight losses. The Thunderbirds’ plan of attack has been pretty simple, but dang effective. Hand the ball to Joshua Dye and let him rumble! Dye has 272 carries for 1,723 yards and 25 touchdowns this season! If, and it is a big if, Central Arkansas can upset Abilene Christian, and Austin Peay can upset Tarleton State, a Thunderbirds win over North Alabama would give them a share of the United Athletic Conference championship. It’d be split three ways, but it would be epic for a team that started 1-5 to finish 7-5 and conference co-champions.
Steve Young Award Player of the Week
Bear Bachmeier, Byrd Ficklin, Bryson Barnes, and Joshua Dye all had great weeks for their teams. What Joshua Dye is doing for Southern Utah is special. He had 39 carries for 181 yards and three more touchdowns. Dye has a strong case for the Walter Payton Award (the FCS Heisman) this season! His career has been a fun one to watch.
Writer’s Note: All FBS team rankings referenced are from the College Football Power Rankings here at TheForkball.com. All FCS rankings are from the FCS STATS poll.
