College Football Playoff Futures for Week 10: Can the Utes Prove Themselves Against BYU?
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College Football Playoff Futures for Week 10: Can the Utes Prove Themselves Against BYU?

John Supowitz shares three teams to bet to make the College Football Playoff heading into Week 10, including the Utah Utes as they enter their biggest test of the season against BYU.

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The first College Football Playoff rankings were released, and we have a clear picture of the teams that are contenders. We’re seeing major upsets every week, which is changing the landscape for College Football Playoff contention.

We’ll look at three teams that have a chance to make the College Football Playoff.

College Football Playoff Futures - Week 10

Utah Utes (-240)

Utah is making a case for itself as not only the best team in the Big 12, but the country. Last week, it could’ve suffered a letdown after an exciting game against then-No. 14 Houston the previous week, as it faced a Cincinnati team coming off an upset over Texas Tech. The Utes didn't let that happen, winning convincingly 49-25.

Devon Dampier had another excellent performance, and it was his sixth time this season throwing for 200+ yards and 2+ touchdowns. With Utah being undefeated and Dampier playing as well as he has, he could get some Heisman Trophy consideration. 

Dampier is a great dual-threat quarterback, but Utah also has Wayshawn Parker, who is one of the best dual-threat running backs in the country. He’s 24th in the FBS in rushing yards (726) and 16th in rushing touchdowns (9). He’s also excelling as a pass-catcher, leading all FBS running backs in receiving touchdowns (4) and ranking fifth in receiving yards (264). 

This is another team that can beat you in multiple ways because they also have one of the country’s top defenses, ranking 15th in points allowed per game (15.6). 

This week could be the Utes' biggest test as they take on BYU. A win would likely put them in the Big 12 championship game. If they beat BYU this week and lose the Big 12 championship game, they could still receive an at-large bid.

UCLA Bruins (-160)

After last week, the Bruins might be in the best position to win the Big Ten. Without Julian Sayin, Ohio State lost 30-18 to a USC team that, the previous week, lost 24-7 to an unranked Wisconsin. For the second week in a row, Indiana went to overtime against an unranked opponent. While other Big Ten teams are inconsistent, the Bruins keep rolling.

UCLA excels at two things: defense and running the ball.

The Bruins are among the nation’s top rushing teams, ranking fourth in rushing touchdowns (25), 11th in yards per carry (5.4), and 12th in rushing yards per game (219.5). Wayne Knight leads UCLA’s backfield with 110 attempts, 6.2 yards per carry, and 12 touchdowns. Anthony Woods is also effective, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, while Jaivian Thomas averages 4.8 yards per carry.

This backfield is the reason the Bruins' offense may not miss a beat with quarterback Nico Iamaleava out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

Defensively, they are establishing themselves as the conference’s best unit. They are leading the Big Ten in points allowed per game (14.6), total yards allowed per game (262.2), and fumbles recovered (9).

They win the battle at the line of scrimmage each week, putting them in position to win the Big Ten and earn a playoff spot.

Kentucky Wildcats (+170)

This year is a huge turnaround for Kentucky. Last year, they went 5-7 and let go of the program’s longest-tenured head coach, Mark Stoops. Will Stein has them off to a great start, including a signature win over then-No. 10 LSU. They're currently in second place in the conference, putting them in a position to reach the program’s first SEC Championship game.

Offensively, they’ve been playing well against conference opponents, scoring 31 points in four of six SEC games. 

After spending three seasons as a backup at Notre Dame, Kenny Minchey has excelled as a starter. He’s third in the SEC in completion rate against conference opponents, with nine touchdowns and only one interception.

The next stretch is tough, but Kentucky could establish itself as one of the conference’s top teams. Over the next three weeks, they face No. 16 Tennessee, No. 25 Florida, and No. 19 Missouri. This resume-building schedule could earn them an at-large bid to the playoff.

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