No. 3 Utah will host No. 7 BYU at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, for an in-state rivalry matchup that marks the first time in the history of the rivalry that both teams enter the contest ranked within the AP Top 10. The undefeated Utes and the seventh-ranked Cougars are scheduled for a 10 a.m. MT kickoff and will appear on a national stage via ABC.
Historic Rivalry Context
The upcoming matchup between the Utes and the Cougars will be the 104th meeting between the two programs and only the third time they have faced one another as members of the Big 12 Conference. Entering the game, the University of Utah holds a 62-37-4 advantage in the all-time series.
Utah's Winning Streak
The University of Utah enters the game with an 8-0 record, marking the first time the program has started a season with eight consecutive wins since 2010. This achievement represents the sixth time in Utah history that the team has opened a campaign with eight straight victories, following similar runs in 1930, 1994, 2004, 2008, and 2010.
Utah currently holds a 14-game winning streak dating back to the 2025 season, which stands as the longest active winning streak in the FBS. This is the longest winning streak for a Utah team since the program won 16 consecutive games from Dec. 20, 2007, to Sept. 12, 2009. Additionally, the Utes have won 10 straight conference games, tying the longest active streak in the FBS held by Miami.
Offensive Dominance
The Utes' offense has demonstrated significant dominance this season, with six of their eight wins coming by margins of 14 points or more. This performance ties Utah with Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, and UCLA for the most wins by 14+ points in the Power 4. The team maintains an average margin of victory of +23 points per game this season, and only two of their eight victories have been decided by one-possession margins.
Statistical consistency has defined the Utah offense, as the team has recorded 200+ passing yards and 130+ rushing yards in all eight games played so far this season. Since 2000, the only FBS team to start a season with nine consecutive games meeting those specific yardage benchmarks while winning each one was Boise State in 2010.
Dampier's Record Season
Quarterback Devon Dampier has reached several milestones during the 2026 campaign. Dampier recently became Utah's all-time leading rushing quarterback at Cincinnati on Saturday with 1,228 career rushing yards. He currently holds an 18-2 record as the starter over his two seasons as a Ute, maintaining a .900 winning percentage over that period, which ranks as the best in the FBS.
Dampier is one of only nine FBS quarterbacks this season to achieve a passing efficiency of 150 or higher alongside a total of 350+ rushing yards. He also remains the only FBS quarterback to have recorded both 150 passing yards and 150 rushing yards against a ranked opponent during the 2026 season.
Defensive Rankings
The University of Utah's defense has also been a primary factor in their undefeated start. The unit has allowed just 102 total points (15.9 ppg) through eight games, ranking 15th in the FBS and 3rd in the Big 12. The passing efficiency defense ranks sixth in the FBS and leads the Big 12 with a rating of 105.96.
The rushing defense has improved significantly from the previous season, allowing just 101.4 yards per game (22nd in the FBS and 5th in the Big 12) compared to the 181.2 yards per game allowed in 2025 (108th in the FBS).
BYU Outlook
BYU enters the matchup with a 7-1 record and a 4-1 record in Big 12 play. The Cougars will travel to Salt Lake City for the high-stakes rivalry game, which is scheduled to be broadcast on ABC. Fans can also follow the action via BYU Radio on SiriusXM 166, BYURadio.org, the BYU Radio app, or KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM.
Broadcast Details
The game will be broadcast on ABC with a commentary team featuring Dave Pasch on play-by-play, Dusty Dvoracek as an analyst, and Taylor McGregor on the sideline. Local radio coverage for the game includes Bill Riley on play-by-play, Steven Sylvester as an analyst, and Zack Moss on the sideline for ESPN 700 AM & 92.1 FM.
