Utah faces road-heavy run in Big 12
The Utes have the toughest final stretch among top contenders while the league race remains tight.
By Aiko Sato ·
Utah football fans face a grueling month ahead. The No. 6 Utes must play three of their next four games on the road. This includes a trip to Cincinnati this Saturday, a home game against No. 8 BYU on Nov. 7, and a road trip to No. 22 Arizona on Nov. 14. These opponents are all currently in the top 25.
The Big 12 regular season has five weeks remaining. Six teams are within a half-game of the league lead. Utah sits atop the standings with a 4-0 conference record and a 7-0 overall mark. No. 8 BYU, No. 13 Texas Tech, No. 22 Arizona, and No. 24 Oklahoma State are all 3-1 in conference play. No. 18 Houston is 3-2 in the Big 12.
The conference race has tightened since the start of the year. Utah has not lost a game in 2026. BYU, Texas Tech, and Arizona have one conference loss each. Oklahoma State dropped a three-point decision at Houston. Houston lost to Texas Tech and Utah by a combined 10 points, holding a double-digit lead in both contests.
ESPN Analytics projects Utah to win its final five games. However, the Utes face a heavier schedule than their rivals. BYU plays three of its final five games at home. Texas Tech and Arizona also have home advantages in key matchups. Oklahoma State plays three of its final five games on the road but is favored in each.
A critical matchup occurs on Nov. 14. Texas Tech travels to Oklahoma State in Lubbock. The Red Raiders have not lost at home in the Big 12 since Nov. 9, 2024. Arizona will host Utah on the same date. The Wildcats are on a five-game winning streak and have not lost since their conference opener at BYU.
Houston enters a bye week this Saturday. The Cougars face Cincinnati on Nov. 7, Colorado on Nov. 13, West Virginia on Nov. 21, and Baylor on Nov. 28. ESPN Analytics lists Houston as heavy favorites to win all four. UCF upset No. 2 BYU last weekend and is favored in four of its final five games.
Cincinnati faces the toughest final five games of any team in the league. The Bearcats host Utah this week and play road games at Houston and BYU. They defeated Texas Tech 37-24 last week. Arizona State, Baylor, and UCF are all 2-2 in conference play. The outcome of these games will determine which two teams advance to the Big 12 championship.
