For the 18th time in program history, BYU finds itself in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Cougars checked in at No. 7 in the initial rankings for 2025, which were released Tuesday night on ESPN. It’s the highest position BYU has ever held in the initial rankings.

Richie Saunders scored 20 points, freshman and top recruit AJ Dybantsa had 17 points and eight rebounds, and No. 8 BYU never trailed in a 98-53 win over Holy Cross.

It was Utah posting the most notable Big 12 win of the week, so the Utes move up in our latest Big 12 power ranking.

The first rankings are out for the College Football Playoffs, giving fans a glimpse into whether their teams could make the postseason this year.

If Utah keeps winning, BYU would be assured of at least one victory over a ranked opponent. In fact, the Cougars’ three-point escape in Provo in the middle of October could very well be their only victory over a ranked opponent.

The first College Football Playoff poll was released on Tuesday, and as of now, BYU is in the playoffs. The Cougars were ranked #7 in the poll, while Utah was ranked higher than many people expected at #13.

At the moment, the Big 12 is shaping up as a two-bid league, but those two bids are BYU, which controls its own destiny toward Arlington, and Texas Tech. If the CFP were seeded and bracketed today, Utah is out.

Texas Tech dominated BYU and cracked open the Big 12's championship game race with a three-way tie at the top.

After BYU’s win Friday night against Montana State, it had the momentum for its rivalry match on Saturday morning.

Here is a look at many of the events going on in Utah Valley and beyond in the next week: CENTRAL Provo Nov. 8 She Loves Me, West Campus Central Building, 7:30 p.m. (Nov. 8-22, onstage.byu.edu) BYU Noteworthy & Vocal Point,

The Cougars are one of the few remaining undefeated programs nationally after beating Iowa State, No. 13 Utah and Arizona in their last three games. BYU has leaned on true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, a late add to the roster. The Cougars rank top 25 in defense, top 40 in offense and are able to challenge in nearly every phase of the game.