Nov 9, 2026 · 50 min
BYU’s playoff hopes survive a costly rivalry loss
BYU's Playoff Path After the Utah Loss
The episode weighs whether BYU can recover from four interceptions and 11 penalties quickly enough to preserve an at-large playoff bid.
- 1BYU’s mistakes, missed tackles, and stalled running game turned a winnable Utah matchup into a 28-20 defeat.
- 2Notre Dame’s win over Miami keeps BYU’s strongest résumé argument alive, but the Cougars likely must win their final three games.
- 3Trevor Matich argues BYU remains viable at 10-2 while explaining how Big 12 tiebreakers and playoff expansion reshape the stakes.
Don't miss
Trevor Matich explains how a Utah linebacker intercepted a late pass despite Walker Lyons being open, defending the call while crediting the defensive play.
The brief
BYU’s 28-20 loss to Utah combined four interceptions, 11 penalties, missed tackles, and an inconsistent running game into a defeat that remained close late.
The hosts argue the playoff door is still open: BYU must win its final three games, improve its standing, and benefit from results elsewhere.
Trevor Matich joins to explain why Utah’s defensive plays mattered, why the running game’s absence increased quarterback risk, and why the UCF loss may hurt more.
Matich’s sharpest point comes on a late interception: Walker Lyons was open, but a Utah linebacker made an exceptional play on a risky, defensible call.
The episode closes by weighing a 24-team playoff’s broader access against the possible loss of conference championship games, alongside a roundup of BYU sports success.
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