SALT LAKE CITY — Despite coming off completely different seasons, the perceived optimism for both BYU and Utah remains high.
The Utes suffered through a difficult 5-7 season behind a lackluster offensive performance, while the Cougars narrowly missed out on a shot at the Big 12 title game amid an 11-2 season. BYU rose as high as No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings and No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25, but just missed out on a playoff berth.
A year later, though, the two enter the season essentially as equals following the preseason release of the Associated Press Top 25 rankings on Monday.
Neither team was included inside the top 25, but the two were the first two teams outside of the rankings as the top teams receiving votes. BYU unofficially checked in at No. 26 with 156 points, just 36 points shy of eclipsing No. 25 Boise State, and Utah at No. 27 with 144 points.
BYU, however, was ranked No. 23 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll that was released a week prior, while Utah was on the outside looking in as a team receiving votes and unofficially ranked No. 30.
The two teams have questions about their respective rosters for the 2025 season, but each is getting some preseason respect as potential top-25 teams.
The reigning Big 12 champions, Arizona State, lead the conference as the highest-ranked team at No. 11, with hopes of maintaining their spot with a roster that nearly returns every starter. Behind the Sun Devils in the rankings from the Big 12 is No. 17 Kansas State, No. 22 Iowa State and No. 23 Texas Tech.
Baylor, TCU and Colorado are the remaining Big 12 teams receiving votes, with the Bears just one spot behind Utah in the total points received.
At the top of the rankings for the 2025 season is Texas, who will trot out heralded quarterback Arch Manning to lead the Longhorns this season. Texas edged out No. 2 Penn State with 25 first-place votes, while the Nittany Lions managed 23 first-place votes.
Behind Penn State in the top five is No. 3 Ohio State — the reigning national champions — No. 4 Clemson and No. 5 Georgia. The Buckeyes received 11 first-place votes, while the Tigers received four. The Bulldogs had just one first-place vote, as did No. 7 Oregon.
To see the full rankings, see below or click here.
