ESPN Analysts Dismiss No. 2 Utah's Title Chances Despite 9-0 Big 12 Start

1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 11

Paul Finebaum said Utah “will not win the national championship,” while Heather Dinich argued the No. 2 Utes are ranked that high partly because other teams lost.
ESPN’s skepticism centered on Utah’s narrow escape against Colorado and a 28-20 rivalry win over BYU that Dinich said was helped by four interceptions and heavy penalties.
Utah is 9-0 in a Power 4 league and climbed to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 after beating BYU, adding to earlier wins including one over a top-15 Houston team.
The criticism has fueled claims of SEC bias, with supporters noting Alabama sits No. 5 despite a loss to No. 13 Tennessee and Georgia remains the standard despite a home loss to Auburn.
Even ESPN’s SP+ rates Utah ninth and Alabama eighth, with Texas only about a 2-point neutral-site favorite over the Utes—evidence critics cite that Utah belongs in the title conversation.