BYU prepares for a rivalry game against Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium following a 41-9 loss to Baylor. BYU coach Kalani Sitake stated he must do his job to get his team ready for the upcoming matchup on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
The Cougars' recent performance has been inconsistent. In a game played on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, BYU was tied at 17-all going into the fourth quarter against Arizona State. While the defense recorded six sacks and a turnover, the offense struggled, with the offensive line having trouble gaining a single yard in several situations. Despite the loss to Baylor, BYU's defense held Arizona State's Jake Fette to 22 of 42 for 166 yards and two touchdowns during their previous meeting.
The matchup against Utah presents significant challenges for BYU. The Utah team enters the rivalry game on a 14-game winning streak after defeating Cincinnati on the road. Additionally, BYU faces difficulties in the running game without LJ Martin, who is expected to be unavailable for the game in Salt Lake City. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been tasked with carrying the offense, facing increased pressure from opponents as a runner.
The BYU program has transitioned from playing as an independent to competing in the Big 12 conference. This shift requires the team to compete against programs with significant resources and high-level talent, such as UCF and Arizona State, which differ from the previous competition levels found in the WAC or Mountain West Conference.
The rivalry game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. Although records often do not dictate the outcome of this specific matchup, BYU enters the game struggling to maintain the momentum seen during their win against Notre Dame.
The first college football playoff rankings are expected to be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, with BYU anticipated to be among the top 12 teams.
