With CFP rankings, Big 12 title game hopes on the line, Utes, Cougars know the assignment (+predictions)

Utah is cruising, but will a sold-out crowd in Arizona and QB Noah Fifita slow them down? And will BYU, a team that desperately needs to beat Baylor at home to keep CFP hopes alive, rebound after choking at Rice-Eccles?

The easy answer is yes. Both the Utes and Cougs will deliver.

But there are a lot of ways they may not.

First, Utah’s sensational quarterback Devon Dampier will reunite with Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales, who helped recruit him to New Mexico when he was the Lobos’ defensive coordinator and went against Dampier in practices. He knows the Utes’ leader as well as anyone.

Thing is, Dampier isn’t running Jason Beck’s offense at New Mexico. Instead, he is steering Kevin McGiven’s circus act at Utah, and so far nobody’s been able to lasso the Utah attack in Morgan Scalley’s rookie season — a season that has resulted in a No. 2 CFP ranking.

On the other hand, No. 2-ranked teams like BYU, Ohio State and Notre Dame have all lost when they’ve achieved that lofty perch. It’s as if being No. 2 brings with it an anchor and chain around the neck.

Baylor is two 1 point losses away from being 8-1 and a top 25 team. They are playing their best football now.
BYU needs to really shake off the past 3 weeks and come ready to play.

— CougarStats (@CougarStats) November 12, 2026

Being No. 1 is also tough. Ohio State, Texas and Georgia have all lost when ranked No. 1, the most losses by No. 1s and 2s before November since 1984. Utah at Arizona is in the middle of that trend this season.

Utah’s defense, No. 1 in the league in interceptions, will face Fifita, the league’s best passer and the most prolific thrower in Arizona football history.

Fifita has thrown for 2,794 yards, 21 TDs and five interceptions. Wide receiver Isaiah Mizell has 40 catches for 753 yards and seven TDs; former Ute Chase Kennedy leads the defense with six sacks. Arizona averages 34.2 points to Utah’s 37.7.

It could be a shootout.

In Provo, Cougar quarterback Bear Bachmeier is looking to rebound from his four-interception struggle in a loss at Utah. Baylor’s defense is atop the Big 12 in several categories and is No. 18 in scoring defense.

Bachmeier could use some help with the run game. He leads BYU in rushing after LJ Martin was injured at TCU. Martin is back, albeit not at full strength, and RB3 Preston Rex should return for Saturday’s game. BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick needs to find a way for his offense to score, especially in the third quarter.

Against Utah, Notre Dame and ASU, BYU failed to score a single point in the third quarter. Do that Saturday and head coach Kalani Sitake will pile up his third loss of the season.

Baylor is No. 1 in the league in points per possession defense and top 10 in red-zone defense nationally.

Whatever happened at Utah with Bachmeier, his coach expects nothing but his best against Baylor.

“He’s one of the best QBs in the country, and he’s done a great job for us here. I’ll go to battle with him any day,” said Roderick.

BYU's offense ranks 1st nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed.
Baylor's defense ranks 2nd in tackles for loss.
BYU's offense ranks 4th nationally in fewest sacks allowed.
Baylor's defense ranks 2nd nationally in sacks.

— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) November 12, 2026

Another factor for the Cougars could be expected rain. Wet conditions factored into BYU’s poor offensive play at TCU and the loss at UCF after beating Notre Dame.

Baylor’s defense ranks 14th in turnovers gained. Ball security issues at Utah have to be resolved on Saturday by the Cougars.

Bachmeier has 2,022 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has also rushed for nearly 400 yards and seven touchdowns, and he is also BYU’s leading rusher (395 yards, seven TDs). Freshman Legend Glasker leads BYU with 39 catches for 703 yards and needs more targets in this Baylor game.

In other action, Bronco Mendenhall has the Aggies on a little streak. Utah State should defeat SDSU.

This week’s predictions

• Miami 42, Duke 17
• Wake Forest 31, SMU 27
• Iowa State 21, Cincinnati 17
• Alabama 38, Vanderbilt 21
• TCU 17, Kansas State 14
• Tennessee 34, Texas A&M 21
• Georgia 37, Missouri 31
• USC 28, Indiana 21
• Arizona State 24, UCF 21
• West Virginia 31, Kansas 28
• Texas 28, LSU 21
• Oklahoma State 33, Texas Tech 31
• Utah State 21, San Diego State 17
• Utah 37, Arizona 31
• BYU 27, Baylor 21

Last week: 13-6; overall: 119-49 (.708)