Overview
- Utah (9-2, 6-2) visits Kansas (5-6, 3-5) on Friday in Lawrence, with the Utes still alive for the Big 12 title game and CFP but requiring a victory to stay in contention.
- The Utes slipped from No. 12 to No. 13 after a 51-47 win over Kansas State and now need additional help, including results such as Arizona over Arizona State, West Virginia over Texas Tech, and UCF over BYU.
- Kyle Whittingham called the run defense performance against Kansas State unacceptable, and coordinator Morgan Scalley took responsibility after Utah allowed 472 rushing yards, including a 293-yard, three-TD night by Joe Jackson.
- Utah’s offense has carried the load with 551 yards and 32 first downs in the K-State win, as QB Devon Dampier accounts for 259 passing yards and 94 rushing, and the unit ranks top-10 nationally in scoring, total offense, rushing, and third-down conversions.
- Kansas seeks bowl eligibility with a win, has dropped four of its past five, and will lean on QB Jalon Daniels, while Utah adjusts defensively without injured pass rusher John Henry Daley.