Utah (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) at Wyoming (2-0, 0-0 MWC)
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Kickoff: Saturday, 6 p.m. MDT
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Venue: War Memorial Stadium (Laramie, Wyoming)
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Series: Utah leads, 51-31-1. The Utes have won four straight in the series (from 2007-10 when both teams were members of the Mountain West Conference) and 10 of the last 11.
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Weather: Showers with temperatures in the mid 50s at kickoff, falling to high 40s by end of game
The trends
For Utah: The Utes haven’t been challenged on their way to a 2-0 start while rising to No. 20 in the Associated Press Top 25.
Utah went to the Rose Bowl and hammered UCLA 43-10, then came home and blitzed Cal Poly 63-9. A trip to Laramie could provide a better contest, though Utah is still a heavy favorite.
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For Wyoming: The Cowboys are also off to a 2-0 start, with wins over Akron and FCS Northern Iowa.
Wyoming’s offense hasn’t been as prolific in the early part of the season as Utah’s — the Cowboys come into the game averaging 20.5 points per game.
What to watch for
It’s been 15 years since these former conference foes with an extensive history have played each other.
That brings with it some nostalgia, as Utah heads to Laramie to face the Cowboys.
How the Utes are received in Wyoming — and how they respond to it — might be the most entertaining storyline of the day.
War Memorial Stadium is well-known for having passionate fans, especially against rivals.
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Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is familiar with Wyoming dating back to the days when the Cowboys and Utes were together in the Mountain West Conference, and offensive leaders Devon Dampier and Ryan Davis — transfers from New Mexico — have experience facing Wyoming in Laramie.
For most of the Utes, though, this will be a new environment, and that may bring an interesting element into what is expected to be a lopsided game.
Key players
Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs the ball toward the end zone for a touchdown during a game against Cal Poly at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Wayshawn Parker and NaQuari Rogers, Utah RBs: The Utes have a solid 1-2 punch at running back in Parker and Rogers to complement the rushing abilities of dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier.
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The trio has rushed for a combined 316 yards through two games, and Saturday’s game will allow the group the opportunity to continue gelling behind one of the best offensive lines in the country.
Parker and Rogers have proven to be consistent scoring threats. Parker had two long touchdowns against Cal Poly — a 52-yard reception and a 43-yard run — while Rogers leads the Utes with three rushing touchdowns.
Wyoming is 17th nationally in rushing defense, giving up 74.0 yards per game, though that’s come against Akron and Northern Iowa.
The Cowboys’ rush defense will have easily its biggest test of the season against Parker, Rogers and Utah’s dual-threat quarterback, Dampier.
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Quotable
“I vote in, I think the USA Today (coaches) poll is what it is. I had them 12th a week ago. I had them 10th this week. I see this. I value them a lot more than maybe what someone else on the outside is right now. They’re really good.” — Wyoming coach Jay Sawvel, on Utah
“I’m not sure many of our guys have been to Laramie, Wyoming, to play a game, so it’ll be a new experience for them.”— Utah coach Kyle Whittingham
Next up
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Utah: vs. No. 21 Texas Tech
Utah schedule
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Sept. 6 — vs. Cal Poly, W 63-9
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Sept. 20 — vs. Texas Tech
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Sept. 27 — at West Virginia
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Oct. 11 — vs. Arizona State
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Nov. 1 — vs. Cincinnati
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Nov. 22 — vs. Kansas State
