#6).

The top three all have more football history and laurels than Utah, more recent success, and are led by confident younger coaches with a vision. They also are better positioned for resources in the NIL / portal era.

- BYU (Heisman and a natty, two game winning streak against Utah, now multiple high profile flips of quality talent)
- ASU (frequent top 10 team in the 90s and early aughts, super amped up gnome as HC, coming off of a
- Colorado (Heisman and a natty, and Prime as HC, hammered Utah this year by 25 points)

The fourth has a history on par with Utah's and with substantially more recent success
- Boise State. Arguably the real Heisman winner, a playoff appearance, and momentum in the program.

I think Utah still merits the #5 spot - but UNLV is coming on hard with a bunch of dirty NIL money lurking.

#7 is probably Arizona - but they have the history and AD and clout to come back.

From there you head into a mess of programs from CSU, to Wazzu, to UNM, to Idaho, and USU et Al....

But in terms of programs with competitive national potential, Utah is #5 with a mountain to climb. Change my mind.