Kansas at Utah - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Kansas Jayhawks at Utah Utes

Utah logo
Saturday, October 10th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Rice-Eccles Stadium - Salt Lake City, UT  (Big 12)

 
Jayhawks (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lance Leipold (27 - 35)
Avg Score : 28 - 27 (22 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.9 - 6.1 (#61)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
UTAH coming off BYE
Our Line: Utah -16.5  (SP+ UTAH -18)
Projected Score: KU: 21 - UTAH: 38 (59)
UTAH Win prob: 90% | Cover: 54%
KU Travel: 888 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Utes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Morgan Scalley (1 - 0)
Avg Score : 41 - 19 (44 - 20 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.1 - 1.9 (#6)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 4) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 3)
 
Kansas's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/4 Kansas vs Long Island University-27.5
Sat 9/12 Kansas vs Missouri+12.5
Sat 9/19 Kansas at Arizona State+5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3 Kansas vs Middle Tennessee-23.5
Sat 10/10 Kansas at Utah+16.5
Sat 10/17 Kansas at Kansas State+6.5
Sat 10/24 Kansas vs Baylor-2
Sat 10/31 Kansas at TCU+8
Sat 11/7 Kansas vs UCF-2
Sat 11/14 Kansas at West Virginia-1
Sat 11/21 Kansas vs BYU+11
Sat 11/28 Kansas at Oklahoma State-4

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kansas's Schedule
Utah's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Utah vs Idaho-41.5
Sat 9/12 Utah vs Arkansas-15.5
Sat 9/19 Utah vs Utah State-25.5
Sat 9/26 Utah at Iowa State-8
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/10 Utah vs Kansas-16.5
Sat 10/17 Utah at Colorado-16.5
Sat 10/24 Utah vs Houston-12.5
Sat 10/31 Utah at Cincinnati-12.5
Sat 11/7 Utah vs BYU-3.5
Sat 11/14 Utah at Arizona-6
Sat 11/21 Utah at TCU-6
Sat 11/28 Utah vs West Virginia-20

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 4, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 4, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Utah's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KU#26 (.25)48% (13)28.151% (6)3.53 (3)17046% (31)2203.94 (47)#121 (.25)42% (69)26.841% (62)42% (71)4.24 (120)39.81.10.8
UTAH#3 (.36)49% (8)41.351% (5)3.55 (2)26747% (23)2175.01 (2)#23 (.07)38% (28)18.943% (79)33% (8)2.93 (16)480.91.4
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UTAH0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KU Offense1228.121.848.4%3.941.1213901702204.851%47%51%46%14%.25
UTAH Defense1318.920.238.4%2.931.4 - - - - - 51%47%43%33%17%.07
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KU Defense1226.833.241.7%4.240.8 - - - - - 51%48%41%42%18%.25
UTAH Offense1341.34449.1%5.010.9254832672176.156%44%51%47%12%.36

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kansas1230:4020.639%57%539.81.10.86.32129.1
Utah1330:4725.553%64%5.9480.91.46.32.6428.7
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KU Offense1251% (53)51% (6)35.5169.84.817 (99).22 (19)3.53 (3)84% (3)9% (44)0.87 (111)
UTAH Defense1351% (80)43% (79) - - - - .18 (115)2.87 (65)73% (80)10% (57)1.11 (126)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KU Defense1251% (78)41% (62) - - - - .13 (87)2.84 (57)77% (110)11% (25)1.1 (125)
UTAH Offense1356% (25)51% (5)44.1266.56.141 (11).35 (2)3.55 (2)82% (6)7% (17)1.1 (18)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KU Offense1247% (87)46% (31)17.628.82207.712.523 (8)8 (7).32 (45)1.5 (76)28% (20)32% (41).27 (81)6% (55)1.8 (120)
UTAH Defense1347% (49)33% (8) - - - - - - 15 (38).01 (4)1.7 (118)33% (47)25% (18).1 (6)7% (22)2.1 (111)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KU Defense1248% (67)42% (71) - - - - - - 4 (75).39 (122)1.7 (126)34% (34)33% (103).43 (124)7% (43)2.2 (125)
UTAH Offense1344% (105)47% (23)1828.7216.67.61227 (33)5 (34).38 (30)1.5 (83)28% (22)41% (3).65 (2)5% (39)2.1 (56)

Kansas's Power Ratings
Kansas's Power Rating: 3.41  #65
Kansas's Offense Rating: 15.26  #53
Kansas's Defense Rating: 16.85  #75
2026 Talent Rating: 790.00  #63
Blue Chip Ratio: 4%  #57
Kansas's 2026 Expected Record: 5.9 - 6.1
Kansas's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.1  #58
Kansas's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.9  #48
Kansas's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.5  #76

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Kansas: 3.41   Utah: 20.45

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kansas: 4.1   Utah: 22.2




Utah's Power Ratings
Utah's Power Rating: 20.45  #25
Utah's Offense Rating: 20.81  #20
Utah's Defense Rating: 12.11  #44
2026 Talent Rating: 762.00  #67
Blue Chip Ratio: 5  #55
Utah's 2026 Expected Record: 10.1 - 1.9
Utah's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 22.2  #8
Utah's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.7  #6
Utah's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.5  #17

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


Kansas Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.8
Defense: 26.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 33.2

Kansas's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Utah 38
Kansas 21

Projected Total Points: 59
Utah Scoring
Offense: 41.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 44
Defense: 18.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.2

Utah's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/28Kansas21Utah31Utah -10.5Kansas59.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Utah100 Overs
Kansas011 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 11 - 00 - 01 - 0
Road Teams1 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0

(#65) KU at (#25) UTAH
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKUUTAH
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #65 #25
SP+SP+ #58 #8
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #63 #67
Blue ChipsBC% #57 #55
Kansas Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Uneasy, two 5-7 yrs, OC back gives hope
(2/16) AHC Andy Kotelnicki is the real OC, play-caller
(2/9) QB Cole Ballard was #2 LY, has mobility
(2/9) RB added 3 portals incl D Edwards (KSU). Depth
(2/9) WR 3 portals, McMillan (Buf) leads decent unit
(2/9) OL 2 back + 2 P5 portal starters. Decent unit
(2/9) DL has good exp/prod, LBs ? beyond Al-Amin
(2/9) CBs have decent starting duo, S not great
Kansas Injury Report
Utah Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Unclear, pushed out K.W for Scalley
(2/26) WRs Pegan & Sholes very prod G5 adds, have depth
(2/4) New staff w Scalley. OC McGiven from SJSU (OC)
(2/4) QB Dampier back, huge boost. Pass must grow
(2/4) RB Parker back, good depth w Soto/Bray
(2/4) OL looks good at T, has ? in IOL outside Moea'i
(2/4) DL took 4 portals, DEs good, DT lots of projections
(2/4) LBs huge boost w Hall back. Lots of ? beyond him
(2/4) CBs look good, S has parts w Bennee. Depth OK
(2/4) Overall looks good. New staff has a lot to prove
Utah Injury Report
Kansas on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffUTAH Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #13 #28
ExplosiveExp #113 #116
PPAPPA #26 #23
PowerPwr #53 #44
SP+SP+ #48 #17
Pts POPPO #47 #16
HavocHav #52 #42
Kansas Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffUTAH Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #6 #79
Run ExplRExp #111 #126
PPAExp #19 #115
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #3 #65
Stuff RateStuff #8 #51
TackleTak - NR
Kansas Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffUTAH Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #31 #8
Pass ExplPExl #76 #118
PPAExp #45 #4
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #57
DB HavocDB #55 #22
Utah on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatUTAH OffKU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #8 #69
ExplosiveExp #52 #131
PPAPPA #3 #121
PowerPwr #20 #75
SP+SP+ #6 #76
Pts POPPO #2 #120
HavocHav #18 #26
Utah Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCat
UTAH OffKU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #5 #62
Run ExplRExp #18 #125
PPAExp #2 #87
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #2 #57
Stuff RateStuff #3 #32
TackleTak - NR
Utah Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatUTAH OffKU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #23 #71
Pass ExplPExl #83 #126
PPAExp #30 #122
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #17 #25
DB HavocDB #39 #43
Program Comparison
UTAH 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to Title Contenders

KU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Rice-Eccles Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Utah beat Kansas last year (31-21)

  
KU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Chase Jenkins (Tr)11917269%1025926.0
Cole Ballard102246%108114.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Yasin Willis (Tr)12955344.341
Chase Jenkins (Tr)15153153.534
Jalen Dupree (Tr)10250825.031
Dylan Edwards (Tr)3420526.075
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nik McMillan (Tr)61975316.055
Nahzae Cox (Tr)40473511.843
Cam Pickett45449310.038
Carter Moses (Tr)26321212.333

View Kansas's Full Roster

KU's DC D.K. McDonald (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trey Lathan867265
Corey Gordon (Tr)533002
Jibreel Al-Amin (Tr)516342
Eamon Smalls (Tr)504110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Leroy Harris III317518
Jibreel Al-Amin (Tr)516342
Jalen Todd442214
Blake Herold435243
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Leroy Harris III317518
Trey Lathan867265
Jalen Todd442214

UTAH's OC Kevin McGiven (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Devon Dampier21233464%24902457.5
Byrd Ficklin213560%301308.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Wayshawn Parker14998166.664
Devon Dampier146835105.759
Byrd Ficklin61513108.474
Steve Chavez-Soto (Tr)8744875.166
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Braden Pegan (Tr)60925515.454
Kyri Shoels (Tr)59768213.043
Larry Simmons15280618.748
Noah Bennee (Tr)23264011.530

View Utah's Full Roster

UTAH's DC Colton Swan (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Johnathan Hall636314
Jackson Bennee624125
Ethan Day (Tr)547580
Elijah Reed (Tr)442104
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ethan Day (Tr)547580
Kash Dillon325410
Johnathan Hall636314
Elijah Elliss183200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jackson Bennee624125
Johnathan Hall636314
Elijah Reed (Tr)442104