How Good are Utah and UCLA?

College Football Archives |
Author Jason Green | Published at November 15, 2026
With their schedules how good are Utah and UCLA. Both teams are ranked in the top five ,but should they be?
Nov 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Only two undefeated teams remain in college football: No. 2 Utah and No. 4 UCLA. While both are in good conferences, neither is in the killer SEC, and their schedules raise the question: how good are Utah and UCLA?

Utah Escapes with Win to Stay Perfect 

In their last game, Utah was on the road in a wild 40-39 win over No. 23 Arizona. In the back-and-forth game, Devon Dampier hit Creed Whittemore for a 70-yard TD to seal the win with 2:35 remaining. While the Utes racked up 500 total yards, they gave up 415 yards, including 356 passing yards.

Sure, Utah is good, but are they as good as a No. 2 ranking? Their three wins facing ranked teams, all in Big 12 play, came against Houston, BYU, and Arizona. Houston (7-3) has lost two of its last three games, and its only win over a ranked team came against an Oklahoma State team ranked 25th that will drop out after getting crushed on Saturday. BYU (8-2) has lost two of its last four games and has only one win over a top-25 team. Arizona (7-3) has not beaten one ranked team this season.

Utah ends the season facing TCU and West Virginia, who are a combined 5-9 in Big 12 play. There is a good chance the Utes win out and get a first-round bye in the CFP, but how will they fare against the big boys like Georgia and Alabama? Big question.

UCLA has Benefited from Schedule 

While UCLA has been a feel-good story this season, the program hasn't been relevant in a long time, and there's no doubt the Bruins have benefited from a pretty soft schedule. The powers that be at the CFP have seen that, as No.4 UCLA is behind a two-loss No. 3 Alabama team.

The Bruins' lone win over a ranked team was a three-loss Oregon team. They are alone atop the Big 10, and of the next four highest-ranked teams in the conference, UCLA has played only one: Oregon. Out of their seven Big 10 wins, the teams they have beaten have a combined conference record of 21-28. They do not have to face No. 9 Indiana, No. 15 Iowa, or No. 20 Ohio State.

UCLA also does not have an easy path to the CFP with Michigan on the road and No. 18 USC in their last two games.

Related News