The Utah football team enters its matchup against BYU ranked No. 3 in the nation, setting the stage for the first top-10 meeting in the history of the rivalry. As the College Football Playoff Selection Committee begins its weekly rankings evaluations, the unranked BYU Cougars sit at No. 7, preparing for a Saturday, Nov. 7, clash at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
A Historic Top-10 Rivalry Clash
The upcoming rivalry game, scheduled for a 10 a.m. MT kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 7, will be televised on ABC. The matchup features the No. 3 Utah Utes, who hold an 8-0 record, against the No. 7 BYU Cougars, who sit at 7-1. This meeting marks the 104th time the two programs have met, and the third time they have faced each other as members of the Big 12 Conference.
According to the University of Utah, the Utes are currently on a 14-game winning streak dating back to the 2025 season, the longest active winning streak in the FBS. This marks the sixth time in program history that Utah has opened a season with eight consecutive victories, with previous undefeated eight-game starts occurring in 1930, 1994, 2004, 2008, and 2010.
Utah's offense and defense have both shown significant dominance this season. The Utes have outscored opponents by 83 points in the first quarter this season, marking the highest point differential in the FBS and the fewest points allowed. Additionally, Utah has recorded 200+ passing yards and 130+ rushing yards in all eight games played so far this season.
The BYU Cougars enter the game with a 7-1 record. As reported by the Associated Press Top 25 rankings on Nov. 2, 2026, the Cougars are positioned at No. 7 in the nation. The rivalry game is expected to draw a significant viewing audience due to the high national rankings of both programs.
Utah head football coach Morgan Scalley discussed the significance of the matchup during a press conference held on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. Scalley noted that while some fans refer to this as "the big one," he views the upcoming game as simply "a big one," adding that the team must continue to earn their standing every day.
Scalley also expressed respect for BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, describing him as an "ultimate competitor." Scalley mentioned that he, Sitake, and former coach Bronco Mendenhall shared a dinner before the season began to discuss the upcoming challenges.
During the same press conference on Nov. 2, 2026, Scalley addressed the team's recent performance against Cincinnati, noting that while the team was pleased with the performance, there were areas for improvement, specifically regarding second-half run fits and turnovers.
Scalley also commented on the injury status of Kelvin Obot, stating the player is out for the season due to a lower leg injury. He also highlighted the performance of several players, including Devon Dampier, who recently became Utah's all-time leading career rushing quarterback at Cincinnati with 1,228 yards, and Elijah Davis, who was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee has begun its weekly process of evaluating and ranking the top 25 teams in college football. Starting Nov. 2, 2026, and continuing over the next five weeks, the committee meets to produce new rankings.
The committee is composed of 13 members, including six sitting athletics directors, four former head coaches, two former All-American players, and one former sportswriter. The committee evaluates teams based on a comprehensive profile rather than a single metric, utilizing video, data, and conference input. Key principles for evaluation include strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and results against common opponents.
The 12-team College Football Playoff field will be determined after the committee meets during conference championship weekend. Selection Day is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6. The final rankings will determine the bracket, including which four teams receive first-round byes.
For the current season, the conference champions from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC earn automatic berths. Additionally, the highest-ranked team from the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, and Sun Belt conferences also receives an automatic bid. Notre Dame will qualify if it finishes within the committee's top 12.
