The Big 12 has plenty to offer when it comes to teams that can surprise you. Last year it was ASU and their Cinderella story season which was capped off with a conference championship. This year, that team may be the Utah Utes. After Week 3, they have risen from No. 20 to No. 16 in the latest AP Top 25. It’s been steady progress each week, and now at 3-0, the momentum is building fast.

Their latest win came in Laramie. Despite the score at the end, it must be noted that the first half was anything but pretty. It was full of penalties, missed kicks, and just a slim 3-0 lead at the break. But once the second half rolled around, the offense caught fire, storming through their opponent for a 31-6 victory. QB Devon Dampier led the charge. He threw for 230 yards and two scores on 27-of-41 passing while adding 86 yards on the ground. JJ Buchanan, Larry Simmons, NaQuari Rogers, and Hunter Andrews all found the end zone in a statement 2nd-half surge.

On his September 14th appearance on ESPN’s CFB show, Greg McElroy spoke of Utah as a sleeper team to watch out for. He explained why, pointing first to their latest win. “Utah handled Wyoming. A little sloppy in the first half, but the offense got going,” said McElroy. He highlighted how the team strung together “four consecutive TD drives in the second half to pull away from the Cowboys.” McElroy’s point was clear: if Utah can clean up the early mistakes and keep their second-half firepower rolling, they’re the type of sleeper team that could crash the playoff conversation. And this wasn’t the first time Greg McElroy went all in on Utah.

Remember, when oddsmakers at BetMGM tagged ASU and Texas Tech as the Big 12 favorites for 2025, McElroy wasn’t buying it. He saw something different. “I’m going with Utah to play against Arizona State in the Big 12 title game,” he declared. Then he doubled down with a bold prediction, stating, “And the champion of the Big 12 will be Utah.” So, while the betting markets leaned one way, McElroy planted his flag firmly on the Utes’ side, making it clear he believes they have the tools to shock the conference.

He pointed to Utah’s defense as a constant under Kyle Whittingham, a unit that would keep them in any fight. But the real difference-maker, he argued, was the offense. After years of struggles , including a brutal seven-game skid last season and shaky QB play, the upgrades on that side of the ball could finally tip the scales. Utah landed New Mexico transfer QB Devon Dampier, a dual-threat star who lit up the Mountain West with 2,768 passing yards and 31 total TDs. With him under center, their offense has the firepower to bulldoze opponents. Even better, he’ll be surrounded by seven returning starters ready to keep the chains moving.

On defense, they have five starters returning. The staff doubled down in the portal, hauling in 22 transfers to shore up the roster. McElroy believes the pieces are in place for Kyle Whittingham to finally capture his first Big 12 crown. In fact, he framed the potential title clash as must-see television: a showdown with playoff stakes so high that the winner likely earns a ticket to the postseason while the loser is left on the outside looking in. Now while Greg made his stance on Utah clear, the former QB shifted gears and took aim at Garrett Nussmeier.

Amateur mistake from veteran QB

Despite a 20-10 win over Florida, the fifth-year senior found himself under fire on the broadcast booth. After a costly interception, ESPN’s Sean McDonough called it “a terrible decision,” while Greg McElroy piled on, stating, “Just can’t do that… you’re a fifth-year senior. That right there, farthest thing from mature.” And the turnover came at a brutal moment.

LSU had just landed a 65-yard strike to Bauer Sharp, setting up what looked like the knockout blow. Instead, two plays later, a fumble stalled the drive, and Nussmeier forced a throw across the field that Florida’s Dijon Johnson snagged. Following that, cameras quickly caught HC Brian Kelly fuming. Afterward, Kelly admitted the error, saying, “Obviously, the interception can’t happen… he knows.”

LSU’s defense was able to contain the damage. Dashawn Spears delivered a 58-yard pick-six, part of a five-interception night for DJ Lagway that sealed the Tigers’ 3-0 start. Although Nussmeier finished with 220 yards and one TD, the boos and broadcast blasts made it clear: in Baton Rouge, patience for amateur turnovers is running thin.