BYU, Utah pass early test and move up in latest AP Top 25 rankings

SALT LAKE CITY — As the competition level increased in the second week of the season, both BYU and Utah found a way to add to their resumes in the early part of the year.

Both teams came away with important wins in a week in which a little chaos unfolded in the sport, which allowed the two rivals to inch up in the latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings.

BYU Cougars

A week after dropping a spot in the rankings (really just a breaking of a tie with USC) following a dominant win over Utah Tech, BYU answered the call with a much-needed win over Arizona to help with conference seedings in the early part of the season.

The Cougars remained in a locked battle with the Wildcats through the halftime break before BYU’s defense pitched a shut out in the second half. The pivotal moment came on a fourth-down stop late in the game by the Cougars, who then went the distance for a touchdown on the following possession.

Arizona, who remains a contender for the Big 12 title, had no answer.

BYU’s win over a conference opponent lifted the team to No. 11 in the AP poll this week, up four spot from last week’s spot in the rankings.

With the win, BYU now occupies the top spot in Big 12 as the highest-ranked team. The Cougars jump Texas Tech, who stayed put this week despite a win on the road over Oregon State.

Utah Utes

In the first true test of the season, Utah was the clear favorite against an outmatched Arkansas team in the first meeting between the two schools. Arkansas scored first with a field goal before Utah dominated on both sides of the ball en route to a 33-point victory.

Utah occupied a creative offensive scheme, throwing different looks on seemingly every down, to move the ball down the field with ease. On the defensive side, Utah stood tall and pressured the Arkansas quarterback and forced KJ Jackson into hurried throws.

The result was 13 pass breakups for a defense that was all over Arkansas.

It was a strong showing for a new-look Utah team, who jumped up to No. 17 this for a three-spot jump in the rankings. Utah remains the third-highest ranked team from the Big 12, just behind BYU and Texas Tech.

Big 12 teams

Texas Tech traveled to Corvallis, Oregon, hoping to come away with an easy road win over an Oregon State team who has struggled over the years to remain relevant. Instead, the Red Raiders found themselves in a tight battle with the Beavers, who stretched the field, with receiver Jesse Legree stealing the spotlight.

The Red Raiders found a way, but dropped to being the second-highest ranked team in the Big 12, landing at No. 13 this week to stay put this week.

Though Texas Tech remains the top team from the conference, BYU and Utah are quickly closing the gap.

Outside of BYU, Texas Tech and Utah, the Big 12 has a fourth team ranked in Houston, who stayed put at No. 22 this week. Houston claimed a 77-6 win over FCS Southern on Saturday, with a Week 3 meeting on the docket against Texas Tech.

Oklahoma State, who upset Oregon on their home turf a week after a disappointing loss, was unranked but is receiving votes, with Arizona and Kansas State also receiving votes.

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Josh Furlong is a Utah Utes insider for KSL Sports and is a Heisman Trophy and AP Top 25 voter for football. He hosts The Utah Checkdown podcast and appears on the KSL Sports Zone to break down the Utes. You can follow him on social media platforms X, BlueSky, Instagram and TikTok for the latest Utah updates and news.