First Time In Years Utah Utes Not In The Preseason Poll
The AP Top 25 football Poll has been a topic of discussion for years upon years here in the beehive state.
Looking back at Utah, BYU and even Utah State’s history, all three teams have found their way into the poll at certain times since 2014.
Utah themselves have been associated with the AP top 25 in one way or another for 11 years straight now themselves.
Yet, as the preseason poll released today, documenting the “projected” best 25 teams in college football at the FBS level heading into the 2025 season, there wasn’t a Utah based team to be seen.
It’s not overly uncommon for BYU, who hasn't been in the preseason polls since 2022 and only three times since 2000.
For Utah State a preseason top 25 has never been in the cards.
But for the Utes, this will be the first time in six years that the University of Utah missed out on the preseason hype.
Now, as we all know it’s not about where you start, but rather finish, something all Utah schools will be dialed into, and something BYU lived up to last year.
Still, being excluded could be a massive chip on the shoulder, bulletin board material if you will for these squads.
Sort of.
See, while BYU, who finished last year ranked 13th in the nation, and Utah, who is largely expected to return to their competitive roots, are technically left out, they are right on the cusp.
The Cougars were the first team on the cut, 26th overall, receiving 156 votes, 35 less than 25th ranked Boise State.
Utah was tucked in right behind their rival with 144 votes, 12 votes behind BYU and 47 behind the Broncos.
An upset or two in week 1 mixed with both BYU and Utah handling their preseason slate, should equate to both schools being the Top 25 within a couple weeks time, meaning fans shouldn’t worry too much about the “disrespect.”
Both squads are in a legit spot as they lack the “expectations” that top 25 teams have going into the early weeks of the season, but are also in the catbird seat to snag the first open spot.
Utah has a tough meeting with former Pac-12 foe, UCLA, to open the season on the road, but if they can handle the Bruins, which a top 25 team should, they will get Cal Poly and Wyoming making the Top 25 seem more realistic than not.
BYU’s slate of Portland State and Stanford in Provo, followed by a trip to East Carolina, makes a top 25 appearance almost inevitable in the beginning weeks.
Then, that’s where things get messy as Big 12 play begins.
The conference that houses the Utes and Cougars is projected by many sources to be one of the tightest battles within college football.
This is supported all the more by the associated press and their ranking of Big 12 teams who all seem to be exceptionally close knit.
It truly appears to be wide open as far as a Big 12 title and guaranteed playoff spot are concerned.
One thing for certain is the conference itself and the right as Utah’s best collegiate football team is wide open for the Utes and Cougars, and if preseason rankings are to be believed, which they aren’t, we are in for one fun season.
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