SALT LAKE CITY — A couple weeks before Utah kicked off its first game of the season, starting quarterback Devon Dampier said Utah’s offense would be known for scoring points.
If the first week is any indication, Utah will certainly live up to that billing. The Utes offensive line had its way against an outmatched UCLA defense, and Utah scored on seven of its eight drives to claim a 43-10 win over the Bruins — including a 20-0 start before the Bruins got on the board.
The win announced Utah’s return to the Big 12 title race — even if just after one week of action.
But it was convincing enough to lift Utah into the latest Associated Press Top 25 rankings that were released Tuesday morning. After an unofficial spot at No. 27 in the preseason rankings, Utah jumped up to No. 25 ahead of its Week 2 game against FCS Cal Poly.
BYU, which was unofficially ranked No. 26 as the team with the most votes just outside the top 25, remains at No. 26 following a 69-0 win over FCS Portland State on Saturday.
Utah is one of four teams from the Big 12 ranked this week, with Arizona State leading the way at No. 12, followed by No. 16 Iowa State and No. 24 Texas Tech.
An additional four teams from the Big 12 received votes, including BYU, TCU, Kansas State and Baylor.
The Big 12 went 13-3 in Week 1 action, with TCU and Utah both defeating a fellow Power Four opponent. The Horned Frogs were the last to play, but TCU put on a show against an outmatched North Carolina team in Bill Belichick’s first game in the college ranks.
At the top of the rankings there was a quick shakeup. Texas, which came into the season as the No. 1 team, dropped a Week 1 game to Ohio State to become the first team since 1990 (and the eighth ever) to lose their first game as a No. 1 team
For its Week 1 win over the Longhorns, the reigning champs dethroned Texas to claim the No. 1 spot ahead of Week 2 action with 55 first-place votes. Life at the top is tough to maintain, though, and Ohio State has several worthy suitors below it looking to jump up in the rankings.
At No. 2 this week is fellow Big Ten member Penn State, followed by LSU, Georgia and Miami. Penn State received seven first-place votes, while LSU got three.
