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Utah football kickoff moved up due to potential inclement weather

Saturday’s game will now kick off at 6 p.m. as the Big 12 tries to get ahead of expected stormy weather.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A severe thunder storm brings pouring rain forcing fans out of the stands at the start of the PAC-12 football game between the University of Utah and Weber State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A severe thunder storm brings pouring rain forcing fans out of the stands at the start of the PAC-12 football game between the University of Utah and Weber State at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.

By https://author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/sltrib/RK3Z5GJWCVEPBB76MC5TMTU4CA.jpg Ryan Miller
 | Oct. 9, 2026, 10:19 p.m.
| Updated: 10:26 p.m.

It’s unclear how strong Tropical Storm Rachel will be when its remnants reach Utah this weekend.

But the Big 12 is preparing for the worst.

The conference announced that the kickoff time for the Utah Utes-Kansas Jayhawks game has moved from 8:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. in an effort to get ahead of inclement weather expected to begin late Saturday night.

The National Weather Service forecast shows a 90% chance of precipitation in Salt Lake City from Saturday night into Sunday morning.

The Big 12 said it made the decision “based on forecast models” and that the time change “was agreed upon by both programs.”

The conference said the game — which was originally scheduled to air on ESPN — will air on the ESPN app and a “to-be-determined” ESPN network.

This could be the second straight game Utah plays in less-than-ideal weather. The No. 12 Utes beat Iowa State in rainy conditions 31-17 on Sept. 26.

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