Following wins by all three teams on Saturday, where might the Cougars, Utes, and Aggies end up for a bowl game?
FCS football: Utah Tech offense explodes in rivalry win over Southern Utah
No. 13 Utah
Thanks in part to the return of quarterback Cam Rising, the Utes had no problem dispatching Arizona on Saturday, winning 45-20.
With a 7-2 record, Utah is officially the state’s only bowl-eligible team, although the Utes have bigger goals in mind.
Utah is currently 5-1 in Pac-12 play, virtually good for a three-way second-place tie with USC and UCLA.
The Utes have a very winnable matchup against Stanford next before traveling to Oregon on November 19. The game against the No. 6 Ducks will make or break Utah’s season, but they can’t afford to overlook the Cardinal, a team that beat No. 20 Notre Dame earlier in the season.
Projection: Valero Alamo Bowl
Opponent: Texas
Date: Thursday, December 29
Location: Alamodome – San Antonio, TX
Time and channel: 7 p.m. MT, ESPN
BYU
After suffering a four-game losing streak, the Cougars were able to eke out a win on the road against Mountain West favorite Boise State on Saturday.
Thanks to that victory, BYU has evened up its win-loss record at 5-5, meaning just one more victory will secure bowl eligibility for the fifth straight season.
The Cougars now get a week to rest up and get healthy before playing the final two games of the season.
With matchups against FCS-level Utah Tech and at 3-6 Stanford, BYU should be able to find at least the one win necessary to receive a bowl invitation.
Projection: Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Opponent: Texas Tech
Date: Thursday, December 22
Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium – Fort Worth, TX
Time and channel: 5:30 p.m. MT, ESPN
Utah State
After a bye week, the Aggies faced a must-win game against the last-place New Mexico Lobos on Saturday.
While it wasn’t pretty in a game marred by heavy winds, Utah State was able to pull away from the Lobos and win 27-10.
At 4-5 overall, the Aggies will need to win two of their final three games to receive a bowl invitation. Utah State will face Hawai’i next, and a road win will put the Aggies’ record back to .500.
The following two games will be difficult, however, as Utah State hosts West Division leader San Jose State before traveling to Mountain Division leader Boise State to conclude the season. If the Aggies beat Hawai’i, then they still have a chance to salvage the season after a poor start.
