If you aren’t from the Intermountain West, you probably think the BYU football vs Utah Utes football rivalry—better known as the "Holy War"—is just another regional spat between two schools that happen to be 45 miles apart. You’d be wrong.
This isn't just a game. It's a collision of cultures, a theological debate played out on turf, and a historical grudge match that refuses to die. Honestly, the intensity rivals anything you'll see in the SEC or the Big Ten.
The 2024 and 2025 seasons have turned the heat up to a level we haven't seen in decades. After years of separation following the collapse of the original Mountain West, both teams are finally back under the same roof in the Big 12. And man, the transition has been anything but peaceful.
The 2025 Clash and the New Big 12 Reality
Just a few months ago, on October 18, 2025, No. 15 BYU hosted No. 23 Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The atmosphere was suffocating. BYU entered the game undefeated at 6-0, looking to prove their 2024 win wasn't a fluke.
The Cougars pulled it off, winning 24-21.
It was a classic Holy War finish. BYU jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but Utah, led by the ever-stoic Kyle Whittingham, clawed back to take a 14-10 lead in the fourth quarter. It came down to a fourth-down stop by BYU’s Mory Bamba in the final minutes to seal the deal. This marked BYU's third straight win over the Utes—the first time they've put together a streak like that since the early 90s.
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Why does this matter so much? Because for a decade, the narrative was that Utah had "outgrown" BYU by being in the Pac-12. While Utah was winning Rose Bowls, BYU was wandering the wilderness of independence.
Now? The playing field is level again.
That Infamous 2024 "Stolen" Game
You can't talk about the current state of BYU football vs Utah Utes football without mentioning the 2024 game in Salt Lake City. BYU won 22-21 on a last-second field goal.
The drama, however, happened off the field. Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan famously marched into the post-game press conference and declared the game had been "stolen" by the officiating crew. He was fined $40,000 by the Big 12 for those comments. Utah fans still talk about the holding penalty on Zemaiah Vaughn that gave BYU life on their final drive. BYU fans? They just point to the scoreboard.
The Dispute Over the Series Record
One of the most hilarious and petty aspects of this rivalry is that the two schools can't even agree on how many games they've played.
Utah claims the series began in 1896, back when BYU was known as Brigham Young Academy (BYA). In those early years, the schools played six times, splitting them 3-3.
BYU ignores those games entirely.
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According to the Cougars, the rivalry didn't officially start until 1922, when the school had officially become BYU. If you go by Utah’s math, they lead the series 60-36-4. If you go by BYU’s math, it's 57-33-4. It’s a small detail, but it perfectly illustrates the "we don't even like your math" energy of this matchup.
Historical Dominance and the "LaVell Era"
The rivalry has historically moved in massive tidal waves.
- The Early Blowouts (1922–1971): Utah absolutely owned the first half of the century. At one point, they led the series 41-8-4. It wasn't even competitive; it was a beatdown.
- The LaVell Edwards Revolution (1972–2000): Everything changed when LaVell Edwards took over in Provo. He turned BYU into a national powerhouse, winning the 1984 National Championship. During his tenure, BYU went 22-8 against Utah.
- The Modern Ute Resurgence: Since 2000, Utah has mostly held the upper hand, including a soul-crushing nine-game winning streak from 2010 to 2019.
The coaching connection adds a layer of "kinda weird" to the whole thing. Kyle Whittingham, Utah’s legendary coach, actually played linebacker at BYU. Meanwhile, BYU’s Kalani Sitake spent a decade as an assistant under Whittingham at Utah. They are close friends who spent three hours a year trying to ruin each other's lives.
What People Get Wrong About the "Holy War"
Most national media outlets focus on the religious aspect—the "Church vs. State" dynamic. While that’s a real part of the culture, the "Holy War" name is actually a bit of a misnomer in the modern era.
It’s less about theology and more about identity.
Utah fans often view BYU as arrogant and "holier-than-thou." BYU fans often view Utah fans as obsessed with them and needlessly aggressive. It’s a clash between the "Provo bubble" and the more secular, urban vibe of Salt Lake City.
When Max Hall, a former BYU quarterback, said in 2009, "I hate everything about them. I hate their program, I hate their fans. I hate everything," he wasn't joking. He was speaking for a significant portion of the fan base.
Tactical Differences on the Field
When you watch BYU football vs Utah Utes football, you’re seeing two very different philosophies of football.
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Utah is built on "the hill." They pride themselves on being "RSN" (Relentless, Smart, Nasty). They want to out-physical you, run the ball down your throat, and have a defensive line that lives in your backfield.
BYU, historically, has been the "Quarterback Factory." Even in the Sitake era, they lean into a more balanced, often explosive offensive approach. In 2025, we saw BYU use their mobility with quarterbacks like Jake Retzlaff and Gerry Bohanon (in previous years) to keep the Utah defense off-balance.
Key Stats to Watch
- The One-Score Rule: 16 of the last 20 meetings have been decided by 7 points or less. If you're betting on this game, take the points. It’s almost always a nail-biter.
- Turnover Margin: In the Holy War, the team that wins the turnover battle wins the game roughly 80% of the time.
- The "Kicking Game" Curse: Both teams have a history of heartbreaking missed field goals or blocked kicks in this series. Look at the 2012 "Triple Field Storming" game where Utah fans rushed the field three times because of chaotic officiating and a blocked kick.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're looking to follow the rivalry or attend a game in the future, keep these things in mind.
First, buy tickets early. Since both teams are in the Big 12, the 2026 matchup—likely to be held at Rice-Eccles Stadium—will be one of the most expensive tickets in the conference. Secondary market prices often triple the face value.
Second, ignore the records. In 2024, Utah was struggling with injuries and BYU was soaring, yet the game came down to a single point. This is the ultimate "throw out the record books" game.
Third, watch the trenches. While everyone loves the QB play, these games are won by the offensive and defensive lines. Utah usually has the edge in raw NFL-caliber defensive talent, but BYU’s veteran offensive lines have recently closed that gap, which is why the Cougars have won the last three meetings.
The BYU football vs Utah Utes football rivalry is finally back where it belongs: as a high-stakes conference game with playoff implications. With both teams consistently ranking in the Top 25, the Holy War isn't just for bragging rights in the state of Utah anymore. It's for a seat at the table in the national conversation.
To stay updated on the next matchup, monitor the official Big 12 schedule releases usually finalized in the late spring, and keep an eye on the injury reports for both starting quarterbacks, as health has been the deciding factor in three of the last four meetings.