One of the two ranked matchups in college football this Saturday will take place in Salt Lake City. College Gameday will be there as #14 Houston (6-1) going on the road to take on the #10 Utah Utes (6-0). It's a top 15 battle in the Big 12 with a lot on the line. Houston has the chance to become playoff party crashers. A win for Utah and nothing changes much, but a loss would drop them out of the playoff field, and the matchup with BYU on Nov. 7 would be for all the marbles. This is the latest kickoff on the slate, and the wait will be worth it!
Utah is one of my favorite teams to watch this season. The Utes are the best starting team in the country defensively and arguably offensively. Utah has held its six opponents to three combined points in the first quarter all season and averages 11.6 points per game, ranking second behind Ohio State (11.6). Despite the early dominance, Utah had a scare last game at Colorado. Utah led 13-0 at the half before allowing Colorado to creep back in before sealing the deal with a 27-24 win.
Devon Dampier threw three touchdowns and two interceptions that amounted to three Colorado points. For the second time this season, Utah's defense did not record a sack, but the Utes did get two picks themselves that turned into 10 of their 27 points. Turnovers could be the difference in this game, as both teams have experienced quarterbacks, great defenses, and established ground games.
Houston comes in with a big opportunity to become the third team in the Big 12 vying to get into the playoffs. The Cougars lost to Texas Tech 28-26 earlier in the year, and I was on Texas Tech's Team Total Under 30.5 in that game, which won. In this matchup, Houston's defense will have issues against a dynamic Utah offense.
The Cougars' defense gave up 425 yards to Texas Tech earlier in the season and a 60% third-down rate. Last week against Oklahoma State in a 35-32 win, Houston gave up 499 yards of offense and 25 first downs (3/8 on third downs). The Houston offense surpassed 500 yards of offense in the win, so if it's a shootout in Salt Lake City, Houston might not mind that. Connor Weigman threw a career-high five touchdowns and 343 yards against Oklahoma State. Weigman has 20 passing touchdowns this season, which ranks third-most, with only two interceptions. This is going to be a good one!
Let’s dive into the schools on both sides of the ball, look at a few key players, and see where the numbers take us.
Game Details and How to Watch Houston vs Utah
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Time: 10:15 PM Eastern
- Site: Rice-Eccles Stadium
- City: Salt Lake City, UT
- TV/Streaming: ESPN
Game Odds for Houston vs Utah
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Utah Utes (-250), Houston Cougars (+205)
- Spread: Utah -6.5 (-120)
- Total: 56.5 points
#14 Houston Cougars
Head Coach: Willie Fritz
2026 Record: 61- (3-1)
Offensive Points Per Game: 39.3 (T-12th)
Defensive Points Per Game: 21.0 (45th)
2026 Strength of Schedule: 44th
2026 Remaining Strength of Schedule: 48th
The Houston Cougars Offense:
Houston's offense has 475 and 505 yards in the last two games, converted 14-of-27 third downs, 6-of-6 on fourth downs, and gained 52 first downs. The Cougars are running red hot as they head to Utah. Connor Weigman has nine touchdowns in the last two games, Patrick Overton caught four of those in one game against Kansas State, and Mahki Hughes has run for 155 yards in that span. Outside of Texas Tech, or maybe including the Red Raiders, this will be the toughest defense Houston will face.
Houston Player to Watch on Offense: QB Connor Weigman
Connor Weigman is coming off the best statistical game of his college career. Weigman threw a career-high five touchdowns and 343 yards on 24-of-33 (72.7%), plus added 11 carries for 52 yards. Weigman had four passing touchdowns last week and has a 9:0 TD-to-INT ratio and 26 total touchdowns to two interceptions on the season. There's a good chance that Weigman will shatter his career highs of 36 total touchdowns and 3,405 passing yards this season.
The Houston Cougars Defense:
Houston gave up 68 rushing yards and 125 receiving yards to Oklahoma State's running back Caleb Hawkins, plus 80 total yards to Kansas State's Rodney Fields Jr. in the last two games. Utah will likely try to establish Wayshawn Parker and Devon Dampier on the ground early to pinpoint a weakness in the front seven. Oklahoma State threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns last week, and Utah has experimented with two quarterbacks on the field together, so we may see some of that too. All in all, after giving up 499 yards of offense, there are some red flags ahead of this road game.
Houston Player to Watch on Defense: DB Kentrell Brown
Brown leads Houston in tackles (43) and is coming off a season-high nine tackles against Oklahoma State. In the last three games, Brown has made 22 of his 43 tackles and has three of his four pass deflections. Brown is one of the few players in 2024 to play against Utah and had four tackles, plus a pass deflection in the 17-14 win.
Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.
#10 Utah Utes
Head Coach: Morgan Scalley
2026 Record: 6-0 (3-0)
Offensive Points Per Game: 40.2 (8th)
Defensive Points Per Game: 14.8 (11th)
2026 Strength of Schedule: 101st
2026 Remaining Strength of Schedule: 39th
The Utah Utes Offense:
Utah put up 409 yards of offense, converted 9-of-18 third and fourth downs, and dominated the time of possession versus Colorado (37 min to 23 min). The Utes are much more dynamic than last year and have a fun two-quarterback threat to run or pass with Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin. Dampier has thrown at least two touchdowns in all six games, and while Ficklin has only tossed one pass in the last three games, he's run the ball seven times. I'd expect to see Ficklin here and a trick play or two from the No. 8 scoring offense in the country.
Utah Player to Watch on Offense: QB Devon Dampier
Devon Dampier has seven total touchdowns and four turnovers over the last two games. He's thrown 71 combined passes in that span, his most over a two-game stretch this year. I'd expect Dampier to drop plenty in this game as both teams rank top 21 in plays per game. His 41 pass attempts and 278 passing yards against Colorado are season highs, plus he's thrown at least two touchdowns in all six games.
The Utah Utes Defense:
Utah has smothered its opponents in the first quarter (0.6 ppg) and first half (4.6) of its games this season. The Utes have the 14th-ranked third down defense (30.5%), and despite being so dominant in a wide range of areas, this will be the toughest challenge all season. Utah has played the 101st-ranked strength of schedule, and the three Big 12 opponents are a combined 7-11, plus not a single ranked team in sight. If Utah and this defense are overrated, we'll find out Saturday night.
Utah Player to Watch on Defense: CB James Chenault Jr.
James Chenault Jr. has grabbed an interception in back-to-back games against Kansas and at Colorado. He will be on the lookout for a third consecutive interception at Utah. Chenault had two picks last year with USF and a career-high 32 tackles. Chenault hasn't recorded a tackle in two straight games and has only eight tackles through six games.
Utah and Houston Stats, Betting Trends
- Utah is 5-1 ATS and 4-2 to the Over
- Houston is 3-4 ATS and 5-2 to the Over
- Utah is 4-0 ATS and on the ML at home
- Utah is 2-2 to the Over at home
- Houston is 2-1 ATS and 2-1 on the ML on the road
- Houston is 2-1 to the Over on the road
- Utah is 11-3 on the ML and 9-5 ATS as a home favorite since 2024
- Utah is 5-3 ATS and 3-5 on the ML against ranked opponents since 2024
- With Fritz, Houston is 7-3 to the Under as a road underdog
- With Fritz, Houston is 6-3-1 ATS as a road underdog and 4-6 on the ML
Rotoworld Best Bets
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes Houston to go Under their first quarter team total of 6.5:
"This is one of my favorite bets of the week and has been for a month now. Utah has allowed three total points in the first quarter all season and averages the second-most points per game in the first quarter behind Ohio State. Simply put, the Utes have been a tank early in games. Houston and Utah met once in conference play and it was a 17-14 stinker in Houston. The Cougars haven't played at Utah before and it's in altitude, late at night, and against a fast-starting team. I like Utah every way in this game, and I am hoping Houston becomes a public underdog this week."
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)