Big 12 Just Did the UNTHINKABLE for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and BYU

If anyone needed a reminder of why the Big 12 is the most unpredictable, relentless conference in college football, Saturday provided a masterclass in total weekend mayhem. When the dust settled across the league, two top-ten juggernauts were knocked off their perches, leaving fans completely breathless and reshuffling the early conference title picture. The headliner came out of Orlando, where UCF delivered a shocking 39-31 double-overtime upset over No. 2 BYU. The Cougars brought their highest national ranking in four decades into Florida, only to find themselves dragged into an absolute dogfight. After five lead changes in regulation and a wild, officiating-marred end to the fourth quarter, UCF’s Keyone Jenkins threw the game-winner in double overtime to send the home fans storming the field. Meanwhile in Cincinnati, No. 8 Texas Tech brought a spotless record and high-powered playoff hopes into Nippert Stadium, only to get completely derailed. The Bearcats dominated the trenches, pounding out 252 rushing yards behind Cole Tabb's career performance to hand the Red Raiders a 37-24 loss and their first setback of the year. Throw in Kansas pulling off a gritty 25-24 comeback over Baylor by blocking a potential game-winning field goal, and Saturday proved once again that parity reigns supreme in this league. Out of all the preseason contenders, only Morgan Scalley’s No. 10 Utah Utes managed to survive the weekend unscathed, turning back Houston 21-13 to stand as the conference's sole remaining undefeated team in league play. In an expanded Big 12 where any team can get knocked off on any given Saturday, surviving the weekly gauntlet requires relentless focus—because the moment a program takes a weekend off, the league will gladly humble them. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.

Just weeks ago, the Beehive State seemed destined for a historic, high-stakes collision at the top of the Big 12. Both BYU and Utah carried undefeated records and top-ten aspirations into late October. Yet as November approaches, the state's two premier football programs find themselves charting remarkably different trajectories. For BYU, the momentum that built during a spotless 6-0 start took a painful hit in Orlando. The Cougars' 39-31 double-overtime loss to UCF exposed real vulnerabilities—namely, late-game defensive lapses, self-inflicted procedural penalties, and an over-reliance on freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier to pull out dramatic fourth-quarter saves. While BYU remains very much in the conference title hunt at 3-1 in league play, the loss disrupted their margin for error and raised legitimate questions about whether their defensive front can withstand the weekly attrition of a deep conference schedule. Utah, meanwhile, has hit its stride with clinical efficiency. Under head coach Morgan Scalley, the Utes have answered every test, extending their record to 7-0 with a physical 21-13 victory over Houston. Quarterback Devon Dampier’s explosive dual-threat production (including a 150-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance against Houston), paired with a suffocating defense that bends but rarely breaks, has established Utah as the sole remaining undefeated team in Big 12 action. Where BYU is currently working to patch up execution errors and regain its physical edge, Utah is operating with total clarity and control. With the Holy War looming on November 7 in Salt Lake City, the Utes look every bit like a national playoff contender, while the Cougars are forced to prove their October misstep was an anomaly rather than a slide. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.

When ESPN’s College GameDay set up camp in Salt Lake City, the morning was supposed to be a straightforward celebration of unbeaten Big 12 football. Instead, Saturday turned into a public rift between analyst Pat McAfee and the host university. The tension stemmed from a promotional video posted to Utah’s official Instagram account ahead of the broadcast. The clip featured students poking fun at McAfee’s shirtless routines and signature high-energy shtick. While intended as lighthearted banter, the decision by school administrators to endorse the commentary on official channels clearly struck a nerve. Addressing the crowd on air, McAfee referenced the video directly and voiced his displeasure with the university’s messaging. An awkward situation worsened during the show's weekly kicking contest. The student contestant openly complained on air that her $1 million prize opportunity lagged behind the $3 million offered at BYU a week earlier. McAfee addressed the comparison on the spot before watching the kick attempt miss short. By the time picks rolled around, McAfee picked Houston for the upset and capped off his segment with a blunt farewell: "Thank you, guys. I'll never see you again, hopefully." The fallout continued Monday when McAfee noted on his show that the social media post made him feel "uncomfortable" on campus. Utah subsequently deleted the video and issued a formal apology to smooth over the situation. Ultimately, the Utes handled business on the field with a 21-13 win, but the incident highlighted how quickly social media banter can turn a national showcase into a public headache. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.

When prognosticators looked at the University of Utah heading into the 2026 season, the narrative was built around transition. With a new coaching staff taking the reins, many around the sport expected a step back. Instead, the Utes have answered every question by putting together a flawless 7-0 start, solidifying their place in the top ten and taking total control of their destiny in the Big 12. What makes this Utah team genuinely dangerous isn't just that they are finding ways to win close games—it is the complete manner in which they are dictating terms. Under head coach Morgan Scalley, the program has maintained its trademark defensive identity while finding an explosive new gear on offense. Quarterback Devon Dampier has emerged as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the conference, blending elite rushing ability with a steady arm that keeps opposing defenses off balance. Paired with a relentless ground game anchored by Wayshawn Parker, the Ute offense consistently wears opponents down before the fourth quarter even arrives. Defensively, Utah continues to thrive on discipline, speed, and suffocating line-of-scrimmage pressure. Even when games turn into physical dogfights—like their hard-fought 21-13 victory over Houston—the defense bends without breaking, shutting down high-powered attacks when the game is on the line. As the calendar turns toward November, the stakes are rising rapidly. With high-stakes matchups looming against formidable conference rivals, the Utes have proven they aren't just surviving in an expanded, unpredictable Big 12—they are setting the standard. If they maintain this level of execution, Salt Lake City will be right in the middle of the College Football Playoff conversation come December. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.

When ESPN’s College GameDay set up camp at the University of Utah, the expectation was a routine celebration of Big 12 football. Instead, Saturday morning turned into an awkward standoff between host Pat McAfee and the home crowd in Salt Lake City. The friction began before the show even went live. Utah’s official university Instagram account shared a video featuring students poking fun at McAfee's signature energetic shtick. Addresses to the crowd quickly turned personal, with McAfee referencing the clip on air and taking aim at critics who called his routine tiresome.