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Utah is a top ten team in the eyes of the AP poll voters and have a chance to climb even higher up the rankings after week 4, as three matchups featuring teams ranked in, or just outside the top ten are on the docket for this weekend. If Utah can escape LA with a victory, they’re almost guaranteed to move their way up the rankings Sunday morning.
#11 Michigan vs #13 Wisconsin Saturday 10:00 AM MT - FOX
Utah leapfrogged Michigan last week, but a win over the Badgers Saturday morning could give the Wolverines the quality win they so desperately need to jump back into the top 10 and move past the Utes. A Wisconsin win could be equally detrimental to the Utes ranking, so Utah fans should hope for a sloppy game that leaves voters unimpressed with both squads.
#8 Auburn vs #17 Texas A&M Saturday 1:30 PM MT - CBS
True freshman quarterback Bo Nix has looked nothing short of dynamic through the first three weeks, including a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Oregon in week one that took some steam out of the Ducks pre-season hype, but the Texas A&M defense is daunting than any other the Tigers have faced so far this season. The Aggies are -4 point favorites and hold a 54% chance to topple the Tigers according to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor. An Auburn loss would certainly benefit the Utes (pending tonight’s result against USC), and it’s hard to imagine a one-loss A&M team jumping ahead of an undefeated Utah team in the process.
#7 Notre Dame vs #3 Georgia Saturday 6:00 PM MT - CBS
No need to change the channel after the Auburn/A&M matchup, as the game of the night will also be featured on CBS, as the Fighting Irish butt heads with the Georgia Bulldogs. After getting routed 30-3 by Clemson in the Cotton Bowl last year, Notre Dame’s reputation took a bit of a hit, starting the season ranked 9th, the lowest of any playoff team from last season, and a win over Georgia would go a long ways in reestablishing the Irish as a legitimate contender in 2019, however a Georgia win would likely bump ND far enough to allow the Utes to continue moving up the rankings.