SALT LAKE CITY — Utah swept its nonconference slate for the third straight season by pulling away from Wyoming 31-6 in Laramie.
A 3-0 game at halftime was burst open by four straight touchdown drives in the second half. Utah rushed for 311 yards, completed a 19-play touchdown drive, and quarterback Devon Dampier threw two touchdowns.
Another week, another highlight reel play for Dampier: late in the third quarter he dropped the ball, picked it up, scrambled, and hit Larry Simmons at the pylon for an 8-yard touchdown.
This week, Utah is the center of the college football world as they host No. 17 Texas Tech in a nationally televised spot. Texas Tech pulled together their big oil money to complete the No. 2 ranked transfer haul in America this offseason, and this is their biggest game since the Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree, Mike Leach-led team in 2008 that was contending for a BCS title spot.
This will be Utah's 91st straight sellout game, and they get the "Big Noon Kickoff" treatment (10 a.m. MDT, FOX).
Game Grader
(Opponent-adjusted statistical dominance via Pick Six Previews)
3-year average (2022-24): Utah 55.4 (23rd of 68 Power 4) | Texas Tech 51.5 (32nd)
2024 season: Utah 44.9 (48th) | Texas Tech 50.9 (39th)
2025 season: Utah 69.0 (14th) | Texas Tech 70.0 (11th)
My Game Grader formula is a measure of statistical dominance that adjusts for opponent strength and is a key piece of my preseason and in-season evaluation.
In my annual season preview magazine Pick Six Previews, I selected Utah to finish fourth in a wide-open Big 12 race, but after their blowout win over UCLA, that projection has shifted. Utah had the No. 2 Game Grade of Week 1, has stacked three wins of 25+ points and 275+ yard margins, and now holds a projected spot in the Big 12 title game.
Their opponent this week holds the other projected spot. Texas Tech was ranked 16th nationally in my preview magazine, and is now up to 11th with the top spot in the Big 12. They have covered spreads of -54.5, -46.5, and -23.5 points, and have been statistically dominant.
Utah with the ball
Utah offense: 45.7 points/game (13th of 136 FBS teams), 6.0 yards/carry (17th), 7.2 yards/pass (77th)
Texas Tech defense: 11.7 points/game (22nd), 1.5 yards/carry (2nd), 5.5 yards/pass (31st)
Three games in, and Utah's new-look offense has exceeded all expectations. Utah ranks No. 2 nationally in third-down conversions (71%) and has shown off both a strong run game and a passing threat it has lacked the past two seasons.
Coming into 2025, the offensive line was considered by many as the strongest in the Big 12. I agreed, and ranked them No. 1 in my unit rankings. They have defended the title, as they are one of just three lines nationally to place in the top 10 of both my OL run push and pass protection sack rate metrics.
It will be strength vs. strength in the trenches, as Texas Tech brings one of the most talented fronts. The key feature of their big transfer class was their defensive linemen: David Bailey (Stanford), Lee Hunter (UCF), Romello Height (Georgia Tech) and Skyler Gill-Howard (NIU). All four could push for All-Big 12 consideration, and Hunter already earned that distinction last year. Tech is currently the No. 2 rushing defense in America.
The entire game could hinge on whether Utah is able to get a consistent run push against this front. Because if not, it remains to be seen who steps up at receiver as a true game-breaking, downfield threat.
Texas Tech with the ball
Texas Tech offense: 58 points/game (1st of 136), 5.8 yards/carry (22nd), 10.5 yards/pass (8th)
Utah defense: 8.3 points/game (8th), 3.0 yards/carry (36th), 5.4 yards/pass (26th)
Behren Morton is a true Texas gunslinger, and so far he is No. 2 nationally in QB rating with 11 touchdowns and 307 passing yards/game. He can make every throw on the field, and throws to a deep, proven receiver rotation.
Tight end Terrance Carter creates mismatches, and last week running back J'Koby Williams was very involved in the pass game.
Last week, Tech's offense converted a first-and-35, as well as a third-and-26 en route to a 45-0 lead over Oregon State. They are ranked in the top 20 of both explosive passing and rushing. It is hard to find any weaknesses here, and they even have fourth-quarter experience at quarterback with Morton leading several game-winning drives last year to finish 6-1 in one-score games.
Of course, the strength of the Utah program is its defense, and defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley continues to prove he is one of the best in the game. This chess match will be fascinating to watch.
Game prediction
Rice-Eccles Stadium and The MUSS create one of the best home-field advantages in college football. Utah is 15-2 as the home favorite since 2022, while Texas Tech is just 6-10 on the road over the same span.
I am cutting against both those trends here. These are the two best teams in the Big 12 and this has a good chance at being a title game preview. The difference here is at receiver and in the explosive pass game. Texas Tech has proven they have it (No. 7), while Utah has not yet (No. 113).
Texas Tech 27 | Utah 23
