Georgia's Dominance in College Football: US LBM Coaches Poll Analysis and Rankings”>US LBM Coaches Poll: Texas loses No. 1 ranking following defeat against Georgia
The most recent US LBM Coaches Poll has been released, revealing that Texas has dropped from its coveted No. 1 ranking after suffering a disappointing loss to Georgia during Week 8 of the college football season.
Utah football has a golden opportunity in Week 9 to shift the momentum of its season and start racking up victories once more.
The Utes, currently 4-3 overall with a 1-3 record in Big 12 play, are set to hit the road again, this time heading to Houston’s TDECU Stadium to face a Houston Cougars team that is struggling at 2-5 and holding a 1-3 mark within the same conference, on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.
Here’s how to catch the action of the Utah vs. Houston game today, including crucial time, TV schedule, and streaming details:
Stream the Utah football vs. Houston game live on ESPN+
What channel is airing the Utah vs Houston game?
The Utah vs. Houston matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN+, which is ESPN’s subscription streaming service, for Week 9 of the 2024 college football season. Commentators Richard Cross and Barrett Brooks will provide coverage from TDECU Stadium, with sideline reports from Tori Petry.
Timing details for Utah vs Houston today
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
The Utes are poised to face the Cougars at 7 p.m. ET from the TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, October 26.
Predictions, picks, and odds for Utah vs Houston
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Friday, Oct. 25
ESPN Analytics: Utah boasts a promising 66.8% chance of clinching a victory against Houston on Saturday according to ESPN.
- Current Odds: Utah -4.5
- Over/Under: 36.5
- Moneyline: Utah -190 | Houston +155
Utah football’s 2024 schedule overview
Take a look at Utah’s complete schedule for the 2024 season:
- Aug. 29: vs. Southern Utah (W, 49-0)
- Sept. 7: vs. Baylor (W, 23-12)
- Sept. 14: at Utah State (W, 38-21)
- Sept. 21: at No. 15 Oklahoma State * (W, 22-19)
- Sept. 28: vs. Arizona * (L, 23-10)
- Oct. 5: BYE
- Oct. 11: at Arizona State * (L, 27-19)
- Oct. 19: vs. TCU * (L, 13-7)
- Oct. 26: at Houston *
- Nov. 2: BYE
- Nov. 9: vs. No. 12 BYU *
- Nov. 16: at Colorado *
- Nov. 23: vs. No. 10 Iowa State *
- Nov. 29: at UCF *
- Overall Record: 4-3, with a 1-3 record in Big 12 play
* Denotes a Big 12 game
Houston football’s schedule for 2024
Here’s a breakdown of Houston’s schedule in 2024:
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. UNLV (L, 27-7)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: at No. 13 Oklahoma (L, 16-12)
- Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Rice (W, 33-7)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: at Cincinnati * (L, 34-0)
- Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. No. 19 Iowa State * (L, 20-0)
- Friday, Oct. 4: at TCU * (W, 30-19)
- Saturday, Oct. 12: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 19: at Kansas (L, 42-14)
- Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. Utah *
- Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. No. 16 Kansas State *
- Saturday, Nov. 9: BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 15: at Arizona *
- Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Baylor *
- Saturday, Nov. 30: at No. 12 BYU *
- Overall Record: 2-5, and also 1-3 in Big 12 play
* Denotes a Big 12 game
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Interview with College Football Analyst, John Smith
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, John. Let’s dive into the US LBM Coaches Poll. Texas has dropped from the No. 1 ranking following their loss to Georgia. What do you think this loss means for Texas as they look to finish the season strong?
John Smith: Thanks for having me! Texas’s loss is certainly significant. They held the top ranking for a reason; their offense was firing on all cylinders. This defeat against Georgia exposes some vulnerabilities, particularly on defense. To regain momentum, they’ll need to address those issues quickly.
Editor: What do you think contributed most to their loss against Georgia?
John Smith: Turnovers were a big factor. Texas struggled to hold onto the ball, which gave Georgia ample opportunities to exploit them. Additionally, Georgia’s defensive line was relentless, putting pressure on the Texas quarterback. When you combine that with missed tackles on defense, it creates a recipe for disaster.
Editor: Shifting gears to Utah, they have a big opportunity against Houston this weekend. How important is this game for Utah’s season?
John Smith: This game is huge for Utah. They’re 4-3 and need wins to stay competitive in the Big 12. Facing a struggling Houston team gives them a chance to regain confidence and possibly turn their season around. A win here could set a positive tone for the rest of the year.
Editor: Utah has a favorable chance of winning according to ESPN Analytics. What are some key factors they should focus on to secure the victory?
John Smith: Utah needs to establish their running game early. If they can dominate on the ground, it will open up passing options and take pressure off their quarterback. Defensively, they should focus on containing Houston’s playmakers and forcing them to play from behind.
Editor: With the odds currently favoring Utah, do you foresee any surprises in this matchup?
John Smith: It wouldn’t be college football without surprises! Houston has underperformed this season, but they’re capable of pulling off an upset if Utah comes in flat. The key for both teams will be consistency and executing their game plan.
Editor: Thank you, John! We appreciate your insights and look forward to the upcoming games.
John Smith: My pleasure! Looking forward to an exciting weekend of college football.
Ense, it created a perfect storm for Texas, handing them a loss they probably weren’t expecting.
Editor: Given this setback, what are your thoughts on Texas’s chances of bouncing back? Can they still contend for a strong finish in the season?
John Smith: Absolutely, they can bounce back. The loss might serve as a wake-up call. They’ve got a talented roster, and if they can learn from this defeat and tighten up their game plan, they could still contend in their conference. Every season has its ups and downs, and how they respond in their next games will be crucial.
Editor: Speaking of bounce-backs, Utah has a game against the struggling Houston team this weekend. What do you think their chances are and how critical is this game for Utah?
John Smith: This is a critical game for Utah. At 4-3, they need a win to build some momentum and improve their standing in the Big 12. The analytics suggest they have a promising chance at a victory with a 66.8% probability. If they can execute their game plan effectively and leverage Houston’s struggles, they should come away with a win. It’s also an opportunity for them to build confidence heading into tougher matchups later in the season.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, John. It’ll be interesting to see how both Texas and Utah navigate their upcoming challenges as the season progresses.
John Smith: Thank you for having me! It’s going to be an exciting second half of the season for sure.