Yes, teams can benefit from not playing during the bye week.
Certainly that was the case for BYU and Utah, as both schools moved up in the latest AP poll.
The Cougars moved up three spots to No. 14, while the Utes moved up two places from No. 18 to No. 16.
Before this week's poll, BYU, which is undefeated (5-0, 2-0 Big 12), was No. 17 prior week after defeating Baylor 34-28 for the team's first Big 12 road win in program history.
Meanwhile, Utah (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) suffered a 23-10 loss against Arizona, BYU’s next opponent.
Good fruits have come from the Cougars being undefeated as Big Noon Kickoff will make its first appearance in Provo.
NEXT STOP: BYU 🔥📍
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) October 6, 2024
Big Noon Kickoff will be bringing the fun to Provo ahead of @BYUfootball's matchup with @ArizonaFBall at 4pm ET on FOX 🎉 pic.twitter.com/WJwdf3J7Ny
The last time BYU hosted a national college football pregame show was in 2009 when ESPN’s College Gameday came for a top-ranked showdown against TCU.
BYU will take on Arizona Saturday at 2 p.m. MDT on Fox.
Big Noon Kickoff will coming to Provo, Utah this Saturday.
— Ronald Lee Weaver III (@ronaldweaverlll) October 6, 2024
Arizona takes on No. 14 BYU Cougars at 4pm ET on Fox.
How are you feeling about this Cougar Nation?#BYU #BYUFootball #Arizona #Big12 #Fox #BigNoonKickoff #ESPN #ESPN960 #GoCougars https://t.co/G7Z0arCEmv
The Wildcats lost this week to Texas Tech in Tucson 28-22 and will be looking to get back in the win column against the Cougars.
First time since 2016, five of the top 11 lost on the same day.
SATURDAY HAS BEEN CHAOTIC 😱
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 6, 2024
For the first time since 2016, five of the AP Top-11 lost on the same day 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ByE8ieDz6O
Changes were made at the top of this week’s AP poll, as Texas returned the No. 1 spot, following Alabama’s 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt.
This was the Commodores' first win over a top-five opponent in program history.
A NEW MUSIC CITY MIRACLE!
— ESPN (@espn) October 5, 2024
VANDY STUNS NO. 1 ALABAMA FOR ITS FIRST TOP-5 WIN IN SCHOOL HISTORY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4RSMoAUTvk
Ohio State moved up two spots to No. 2, while Oregon and Penn State both moved up three spots to No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Georgia remained at No. 5, and Alabama dropped six spots to No. 7. Ole Miss is back in the Top 10 at No. 9 being led by former Corner Canyon quarterback and Utah native Jaxson Dart.
Another notable change is SMU entering the rankings at No. 25.
The Cougars defeated the Mustangs in week two 18-15 in Dallas.
AP Top 25
1. Texas
2. Ohio State
3. Oregon
4. Penn State
5. Georgia
6. Miami
7. Alabama
8. Tennessee
9. Ole Miss
10. Clemson
T-11. Iowa State
T-11. Notre Dame
13. LSU
14. BYU
15. Texas A&M
16. Utah
17. Boise State
T-18. Kansas State
T-18. Indiana
T-18. Oklahoma
21. Missouri
22. Pitt
23. Illinois
24. Michigan
25. SMU