Going into the final week of action in October, both BYU and Utah are viewed as College Football Playoff contenders and it’s reflected in the latest bowl projections.

The No. 6 Utes are the lone unbeaten team remaining in the Big 12, after beating then-No. 14 Houston 21-13 last Saturday to improve to 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in league play.

The No. 8 Cougars suffered their first loss last Saturday, falling 39-31 to UCF in double overtime to drop to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 action. BYU, though, has its win over then-No. 2 Notre Dame to bolster its CFP résumé.

The Deseret News took a look at seven bowl projections released this week, and in each of them, both Utah and BYU are included in the CFP field.

If the Utes and Cougars finish the season strong, there is a solid chance that both of these rivals — who play each other on Nov. 7 — could end up representing the Big 12 in the playoff.

Here’s a look at the latest bowl projections for every Big 12 team following Week 8 of the 2026 season.

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, center top, is sacked by Central Florida defensive lineman Thomas Collins, center bottom, during game, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. | Phelan M. Ebenhack, Associated Press ESPN, Kyle BonaguraBYU’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 7 seed hosting No. 10 seed Wake ForestUtah’s bowl projection: CFP quarterfinals, No. 4 seed facing No. 5 seed Georgia

Note: Bonagura has Utah beating Georgia and advancing to the CFP semifinals before losing to No. 1 seed Miami in the Sugar Bowl. He also has BYU beating Wake Forest and advancing to the CFP quarterfinals before losing to No. 2 seed Ohio State.

Other Big 12 bowl projections

Arizona: Sun Bowl, vs. Virginia TechArizona State: Poinsettia Bowl, vs. Fresno StateBaylor: First Responder Bowl, vs. Florida AtlanticCincinnati: Cactus Bowl, vs. MichiganHouston: Pop-Tarts Bowl, vs. SMUKansas State: Armed Forces Bowl, vs. North TexasOklahoma State: Texas Bowl, vs. TennesseeTexas Tech: Alamo Bowl, vs. OregonUCF: Liberty Bowl, vs. MissouriWest Virginia: Independence Bowl, vs. UConnESPN, Mark SchlabachBYU’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 9 seed playing at No. 8 seed UtahUtah’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 8 seed hosting No. 9 seed BYU

Note: Schlabach has Utah beating BYU and advancing to the CFP quarterfinals before losing to No. 1 seed Miami.

Other Big 12 bowl projections

Arizona: Las Vegas Bowl, vs. MissouriArizona State: Poinsettia Bowl, vs. Texas StateBaylor: Liberty Bowl, vs. Mississippi StateCincinnati: Cactus Bowl, vs. MichiganHouston: Pop-Tarts Bowl, vs. SMUKansas State: First Responder Bowl, vs. North TexasOklahoma State: Texas Bowl, vs. OklahomaTexas Tech: Alamo Bowl, vs. USCUCF: Armed Forces Bowl, vs. ArmyWest Virginia: Independence Bowl, vs. WashingtonThe Athletic, Scott DochtermanBYU’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 10 seed playing at No. 7 seed AlabamaUtah’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 5 seed hosting No. 12 seed Oregon State

Note: Dochterman has the winner of BYU-Alabama facing No. 2 seed Ohio State in the Rose Bowl in the CFP quarterfinals, and the winner of Utah-Oregon State facing No. 4 seed Miami in the Fiesta Bowl in the CFP quarterfinals.

Other Big 12 bowl projections

Arizona: Las Vegas Bowl, vs. TexasArizona State: Poinsettia Bowl, vs. Boise StateCincinnati: Independence Bowl, vs. CaliforniaHouston: Pop-Tarts Bowl, vs. Virginia TechKansas State: Liberty Bowl, vs. OklahomaOklahoma State: Texas Bowl, vs. TennesseeTexas Tech: Alamo Bowl, vs. USCUCF: Boca Raton Bowl, vs. Miami (Ohio)West Virginia: Cactus Bowl, vs. WisconsinOn3, Brett McMurphyBYU’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 11 seed playing at No. 6 seed KentuckyUtah’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 5 seed hosting No. 12 seed Boise State

Note: McMurphy has Utah beating Boise State and advancing to the CFP quarterfinals before losing to No. 4 seed UCLA in the Fiesta Bowl.

Other Big 12 bowl projections

Arizona: Alamo Bowl, vs. Oklahoma StateArizona State: Poinsettia Bowl, vs. Fresno StateCincinnati: Cactus Bowl, vs. MichiganHouston: Liberty Bowl, vs. AuburnKansas State: Birmingham Bowl, vs. Mississippi StateOklahoma State: Alamo Bowl, vs. ArizonaTexas Tech: Pop-Tarts Bowl, vs. SMUUCF: Texas Bowl, vs. MissouriWest Virginia: Independence Bowl, vs. PittsburghCBS Sports, Brad CrawfordBYU’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 8 seed hosting No. 9 seed LSUUtah’s bowl projection: CFP quarterfinals, No. 3 seed facing No. 11 seed Notre Dame in Rose Bowl

Other Big 12 bowl projections

Arizona: Las Vegas Bowl, vs. TennesseeBaylor: Poinsettia Bowl, vs. Oregon StateCincinnati: Cactus Bowl, vs. MichiganHouston: Alamo Bowl, vs. OregonIowa State: First Responder Bowl, vs. North TexasKansas State: Liberty Bowl, vs. Mississippi StateOklahoma State: Texas Bowl, vs. OklahomaTexas Tech: Pop-Tarts Bowl, vs. SMUUCF: Armed Forces Bowl, vs. ArmyWest Virginia: Independence Bowl, vs. CaliforniaCollege Football News, Pete FiutakBYU’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 6 seed hosting No. 11 seed TennesseeUtah’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 8 seed hosting No. 9 seed LSU

Other Big 12 bowl projections

Arizona: Sun Bowl, vs. Virginia TechArizona State: Holiday Bowl, vs. ClemsonCincinnati: Pop-Tarts Bowl, vs. Wake ForestHouston: Alamo Bowl, vs. OregonKansas State: Cactus Bowl, vs. NorthwesternOklahoma State: Liberty Bowl, vs. MissouriTexas Tech: Texas Bowl, vs. Ole MissUCF: Armed Forces Bowl, vs. ArmyWest Virginia: Independence Bowl, vs. Oregon StateAthlon Sports, Steve LassanBYU’s bowl projection: CFP quarterfinals, No. 4 seed facing No. 5 seed Indiana in Fiesta BowlUtah’s bowl projection: CFP first round, No. 9 seed playing at No. 8 seed Kentucky

Other Big 12 bowl projections

Arizona: Sun Bowl, vs. ClemsonArizona State: New Mexico Bowl, vs. New MexicoCincinnati: Cactus Bowl, vs. MichiganHouston: Pop-Tarts Bowl, vs. SMUKansas State: First Responder Bowl, vs. IllinoisOklahoma State: Texas Bowl, vs. MissouriTexas Tech: Alamo Bowl, vs. USCUCF: Independence Bowl, vs. Texas A&MWest Virginia: Liberty Bowl, vs. South CarolinaCincinnati safety Mj Cannon (2) intercepts a pass during game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 24 2026, in Cincinnati. | Lydia Schembre, Associated Press