The Utah Utes (8-2), ranked 12th in the College Football Playoff poll this week, aim to avoid a playoff-crushing loss when they host the Kansas State Wildcats (5-5), a team trying to secure bowl eligibility, on Saturday afternoon.

Another convincing win in Big 12 play helped Utah take a positive step toward making its College Football Playoff aspirations come to fruition. The Utes (8-2, 5

The third edition of this year’s College Football Playoff rankings have been released, with BYU and Utah each moving up one spot. Following dominant wins over the past weekend, the Cougars are now ranked at No. 11 in the Playoff rankings, with the Utes at No. 12, as revealed on ESPN Tuesday night.

The Kansas State Wildcats face the No. 13 Utah Utes, led by quarterback Devon Dampier, on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Soon after the rankings reveal, ESPN’s Allstate Playoff Predictor weighed in. The Utes were given a 39 percent chance, two points higher than the Cougars. Don’t believe that, either. While the number is a reasonable reflection of Utah’s situation, BYU’s chances are much, much worse than 37 percent.

K-State rushed for a program-record 472 yards, while Joe Jackson broke Darren Sproles' single-game record with 293 yards, but it wasn't enough. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier ran in the game-winning touchdown with 56 seconds left.