Playing in the same conference again has put No. 7 BYU and No. 3 Utah back on equal footing in football, according to a November 6 report. This shift has imbued greater meaning into their annual Holy War rivalry showdown, which will be a major factor in determining who plays for the Big 12 Championship in December and whether more than one team from the league claims a College Football Playoff bid.
The upcoming game, where the Utes host the Cougars on Saturday, follows a period where the two schools were on uneven footing. After Utah joined the Pac-12 in 2011, the schools followed different trajectories, with Utah gaining advantages in recruiting, TV money, and resources. During the thirteen seasons they did not share a conference, Utah ran off nine straight wins against BYU from 2010 to 2018 and went 8-1 in the series during the dozen seasons that BYU was an FBS independent.
Since joining the Big 12 in 2023, BYU has worked to close the gap with Utah, aided by the transfer portal and NIL. Since 2024, BYU has a 30-5 record while Utah holds a 24-9 record. Despite the competitive gap in recent decades, the Holy War has remained a tight affair, with only four of the last 25 games resulting in a double-digit margin of victory.
The rivalry is characterized by close proximity and overlapping coaching staffs. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick both served as coordinators under Kyle Whittingham at Utah. Additionally, BYU assistants Justin Ena, Sione Po’uha, and Chad Kauha’aha’a were former Utes coaches, while Utah's Kevin McGiven and Mark Atuaia previously coached at BYU.
Utah coach Morgan Scalley noted the uniqueness of the rivalry stems from the proximity of the campuses and the fact that coaching staffs have long histories of working together or against one another. This connection extends to recruiting, as more than 50 recruits are expected to attend the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium this Saturday, many of whom hold offers from both programs.
The intensity of the matchup is recognized by players and coaches alike. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier stated the game holds significant meaning for the state. BYU defensive tackle Bodie Schoonover noted the deep connection in the community, where families are often split between Utah and BYU fans. BYU defensive end Keanu Tanuvasa, who transferred from Utah to Provo in 2025, remarked that both programs are very similarly on par with one another.
