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BYU Drops in AP Top 25, Utah State Jumps Into Rankings

5 months agoUS
BYU Drops in AP Top 25, Utah State Jumps Into RankingsSource: deseret.com
BYU has dropped in the AP Top 25 poll despite recent victories, while Utah State has entered the rankings for the first time this season. BYU head coach Kevin Young has questioned the Cougars' drop in the AP Top 25 poll, after a pair of Big 12 victories.

Key Insights

BYU dropped from No. 9 to No. 11 in the AP Top 25 poll despite winning against Arizona State and Utah.

Utah State entered the AP Top 25 poll at No. 23.

Kevin Young, BYU's coach, expressed confusion over the team's drop in the rankings, citing their only loss to UConn.

BYU faces a challenging week with games against TCU and Texas Tech.

Utah State is on a seven-game winning streak and is highly rated in NET and KenPom rankings.

Why this matters: These rankings impact team morale, recruitment, and NCAA tournament seeding. BYU's coach publicly questioning the poll highlights the subjective nature of rankings despite objective performance. Utah State's entry into the rankings validates their strong performance and increases their visibility.

In-Depth Analysis

BYU's drop in the AP Top 25 can be attributed to other undefeated teams like Nebraska and Vanderbilt rising in the ranks. Nebraska, who defeated BYU in an exhibition game, has the nation's longest winning streak. Vanderbilt has also been performing strongly, contributing to BYU's slide.

Utah State's entry into the rankings reflects their strong performance, currently rated No. 13 in the NET and No. 20 in KenPom. Their upcoming games against Nevada and Grand Canyon present opportunities to solidify their position.

BYU's upcoming game against TCU features Tanner Toolson, son of former BYU standout Andy Toolson. Toolson is a TCU guard averaging 18.3 minutes per game.

The AP Top 25 poll as of January 12, 2026:

1.

Arizona

2.

Iowa State

3.

UConn

4.

Michigan

5.

Purdue

6.

Duke

7.

Houston

8.

Nebraska

9.

Gonzaga

10.

Vanderbilt

11.

BYU

23.

Utah State

FAQs

Q: Why did BYU drop in the AP Top 25 poll?

Despite winning two games, undefeated teams leapfrogged them in the rankings.

Q: Where is Utah State ranked?

Utah State is ranked No. 23 in the AP Top 25 poll.

Q: Who does BYU play this week?

BYU plays TCU and Texas Tech.

Key Takeaways

BYU's ranking has dropped, but their coach remains focused on the team's performance in the Big 12.

Utah State's entry into the rankings is a positive sign of their season's progress.

The AP Top 25 poll is subjective, and teams' rankings can fluctuate based on various factors.

Discussion

Do you think these rankings accurately reflect the teams' performance? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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