Utah fans are rooting for their disliked rival, as the Big 12 championship is still within reach.

Jeff Hauser

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Utah roots for hated rival with Big 12 title hopes still alive image

TL;DR

  • Utah beat Kansas 31-21, maintaining a slim Big 12 championship possibility.
  • Postseason hopes depend on Arizona State, Texas Tech, and BYU winning/losing games.
  • Devon Dampier and Elijah Davis made key plays in Utah's 10-2 record season.
  • Utah's defense struggled with rushing yards, a recurring issue for the team.

The atmosphere in Utah’s locker room was buzzing on Friday, yet the Utes' prospects for the postseason still depend on the sort of unlikely scoreboard outcomes that few would have predicted, requiring assistance from BYU. 

Utah, ranked 13th, maintained its slim possibility of winning the Big 12 championship by Defeating Kansas 31-21. The Utes still have a chance to compete for a conference title. This requires Arizona State to defeat Arizona on Friday evening, followed by Texas Tech losing to West Virginia and BYU beating UCF on Saturday.

Quarterback Devon Dampier passed for 253 yards and three scores, while cornerback Elijah Davis delivered the most crucial play with a 97-yard interception return that decided a fourth quarter where Utah scored 21 points.

Larry Simmons scored twice on passes and running back Wayshawn Parker gained 95 yards on the ground, helping Utah reach a 10-2 record and a 7-2 conference standing, marking the third time in five years they've achieved 10 wins. The defensive secondary secured three interceptions from Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels during the game, concluding his six-year collegiate tenure.

However, the festivities were accompanied by a dose of reality. Utah experienced a significant defensive breakdown, surrendering 290 yards on the ground, a recurring issue following the 472 rushing yards conceded the previous week in their victory against Kansas State.

“We kept finding ways,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “That’s kind of been the story.”

For Utah fans, the math borders on miracle. Yet, stranger things have happened in November. 

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Staff Writer