Utah Utes is 1-0 on the season, 1-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +15.7. Utah Utes enters the season with a power rating of +15.7, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Utah Utes host Arkansas next in Week 2. In 2025, Utah Utes went 11-2 overall, 9-3-1 against the spread, and 9-4 on totals.
In Week 1 of 2026 the Utah Utes Power Rating of +15.7 is 15.7 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Utah Utes have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 8,629 miles, ranking 45th heaviest in the FBS.
Devon Dampier QB, Byrd Ficklin QB, Wayshawn Parker RB, Braden Pegan WR, Kyri Shoels WR
Jireh Moe DL, Lucas Samsula DL, Mana Carvalho S
Dillon Curtis K, Orion Phillips P
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Week 2 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Week 3 | 3-0 | 3-0 | 2-1 |
| Week 4 | 3-1 | 3-1 | 2-2 |
| Week 5 | 4-1 | 4-1 | 3-2 |
| Week 7 | 5-1 | 5-1 | 4-2 |
| Week 8 | 5-2 | 5-2 | 4-3 |
| Week 9 | 6-2 | 6-2 | 5-3 |
| Week 10 | 7-2 | 7-2 | 6-3 |
| Week 12 | 8-2 | 8-2 | 7-3 |
| Week 13 | 9-2 | 8-3 | 8-3 |
| Week 14 | 10-2 | 8-3-1 | 8-4 |
| Postseason | 11-2 | 9-3-1 | 9-4 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened +21.4 in the preseason and finished +25.3 after the postseason, a move of +3.9 points. High +25.3 (the postseason), low +20.1 (week 2).
PrePost
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured home field advantage of +4.2 is regressed to +3.0 before it is applied, a difference of 1.3 points. A single venue's raw result carries a lot of noise, so the applied figure is pulled toward the league pattern. See how much is home field advantage really worth.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah State | 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Iowa State | 1 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Kansas | 1 | 1-0 | 0-0-1 |
| Colorado | 10 | 8-2 | 7-3 |
| Houston | 1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Cincinnati | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| BYU | 7 | 4-3 | 3-4 |
| Arizona | 8 | 6-2 | 5-3 |
| TCU | 1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| West Virginia | 2 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
No meeting on record since 2016: Idaho, Arkansas.
Week 08,629 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | - | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Idaho | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 2 | Arkansas | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 3 | Utah State | Home | 0 mi |
| Week 4 | Iowa State | 949 mi | 1,897 mi |
| Week 5 | - | Bye | |
| Week 6 | Kansas | Home | 1,897 mi |
| Week 7 | Colorado | 351 mi | 2,599 mi |
| Week 8 | Houston | Home | 2,599 mi |
| Week 9 | Cincinnati | 1,450 mi | 5,499 mi |
| Week 10 | BYU | Home | 5,499 mi |
| Week 11 | Arizona | 590 mi | 6,680 mi |
| Week 12 | TCU | 975 mi | 8,629 mi |
| Week 13 | West Virginia | Home | 8,629 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
Utah enters 2026 with Morgan Scalley as head coach after Kyle Whittingham's 21-year tenure ended. Scalley, a longtime assistant, brings continuity but faces a rebuilt staff and 18 new roster faces. The transition is a key storyline, as the Utes aim to stay competitive in the Big 12 while adapting to new coordinators Kevin McGiven on offense and Colton Swan on defense.
The offense returns dynamic quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin in a tag-team role, plus leading rusher Wayshawn Parker and portal additions Braden Pegan and Kyri Shoels at receiver. However, the line replaces all five starters, making its performance the biggest factor in whether the run game stays strong and the passing attack improves under new coordinator Kevin McGiven.
Utah's defense was gashed on the ground late last season, ranking among the Big 12's worst against the run. The Utes reloaded via the portal with Jireh Moe and Lucas Samsula to bolster the line, while adding size and physicality in the secondary. The veteran unit aims to regain its traditional up-front dominance under new coordinator Colton Swan.
Kicker Dillon Curtis and punter Orion Phillips return, providing consistency after a season where special teams were rarely tested. Mana Carvalho, with a year of experience, is expected to be a game-changer in the return game, giving Utah a potential edge in field position throughout the season.
Utah opens at home against Idaho as a heavy favorite, with a 99% win probability per prediction markets. This game offers a chance to build confidence, especially for the new offensive line and defensive front, before facing tougher Big 12 competition. A strong start could validate the optimism around Scalley's first season.
Utah Utes is 1-0 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 100% of games.
Utah Utes holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +15.7, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Utah Utes's home field advantage rating is 3.0 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Utah Utes's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 8.5 wins, priced at -135 over and +105 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
Utah Utes travels 8,629 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 45th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Utah Utes: 1-0 overall, 1-0 ATS, power rating +15.7 (2026 records).
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