{"id":470175,"date":"2026-10-19T02:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T02:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/470175\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T02:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T02:30:09","slug":"college-gameday-is-set-to-visit-houston-vs-utah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/470175\/","title":{"rendered":"College Gameday Is Set to Visit Houston vs. Utah"},"content":{"rendered":"

The No. 14 Houston Cougars<\/a> play one of their biggest games ever when they visit the No. 10 Utah Utes in Week 8.<\/p>\n

This game is huge for both programs as they try to threaten the Big 12 and for a College Football Playoff spot.<\/p>\n

ESPN’s College Gameday Is Heading to Salt Lake <\/p>\n

ESPN’s College GameDay visited its first Big 12 school in Week 7, with the BYU Cougars hosting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. That game ended up being a classic as the No. 8 Cougars (now No. 2) upset the Fighting Irish who had won 17 straight, 28-24.<\/p>\n

Now, GameDay is heading back to Utah, this time to Salt Lake City. The Utah Utes recently fended off an upset bid from the Colorado Buffaloes, narrowly escaping with a 27-24 win and remaining undefeated. The Cougars, meanwhile, won a shootout against the No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowboys, 35-32, to move up to No. 14 and remain with only one loss.<\/p>\n

\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston QB Conner Weigman runs with the ball past Oklahoma State LB Isaiah Chisom during the third quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The Utes finished 11-2 last season, and the Cougars finished 10-3, so both schools entered 2026 with high expectations. Both schools have done well this season, setting up a marquee Week 8 matchup that ESPN will highlight. <\/p>\n

The Big 12 Race Is Starting to Heat Up <\/p>\n

Yesterday, BYU proved they are among the nation’s best teams with an impressive win. That wasn’t all, though.<\/p>\n

As aforementioned, Utah survived Colorado, and Houston won a massive matchup against Oklahoma State. But the No. 8 Texas Tech Red Raiders also made a statement with a big win against the Arizona State Sun Devils, 53-25.<\/p>\n

The Red Raiders, of course, took down the Cougars in Week 3, complicating the Cougars’ hopes for the Big 12. Technically, even the No. 25 Arizona Cougars still have a chance at the conference after beating the West Virginia Mountaineers 52-31 in their fourth straight game. <\/p>\n

Those five teams- BYU, Utah, Houston, Texas Tech, and Arizona- can win the conference. For Houston, another loss would likely eliminate it from conference contention, since it already lost to another Big 12 team. <\/p>\n

This game against Utah is a big chance for both teams, but an even bigger chance for Houston. Why? The next four games for the Cougars: vs. Cincinnati Bearcats, at Colorado, at West Virginia, and vs. the Baylor Bears. <\/p>\n

If the Cougars defeat the Utes on the road, that would not only be a statement but also make Houston the favorite to win its final four games. Going potentially 11-1 would be an insane season for the Cougars and easily get them into the CFP and maybe even give them a chance at winning the conference. <\/p>\n

This game is just a huge opportunity for the Cougars. Houston already proved it can beat a ranked, talented team on Saturday, when it beat the Cowboys. But can it travel to a hostile environment and take down a Top 10 team? We’ll see come Oct. 24th. <\/p>\n

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