Honestly, if you haven’t stood in the freezing rain at Rice-Eccles Stadium or felt the concrete vibrate at LaVell Edwards Stadium, it’s kinda hard to explain. People call it the "Holy War." It sounds dramatic. It is. But for those of us living in the 45-mile stretch of I-15 between Provo and Salt Lake City, it’s basically a family feud that never actually ends. It just pauses for breath.
Last season, specifically October 18, 2025, we saw the latest chapter. BYU took it 24-21. That win didn't just keep the Cougars perfect at 7-0; it marked their third straight victory over the Utes. For a program that spent a decade getting bullied by Utah, three in a row feels like a shift in the universe.
The 2024 Controversy and the Big 12 Era
The tension right now is at an all-time high because of what happened in 2024. You remember the "stolen" game? Utah AD Mark Harlan literally walked into the postgame presser and said the game was stolen from them.
That 22-21 BYU win in Salt Lake City turned on a late defensive holding call. It gave the Cougars new life when they were basically dead on fourth down. Utah fans are still vibrating with rage over it. BYU fans? They’ve spent the last year printing t-shirts.
Now that both schools are in the Big 12, the stakes have shifted from "local bragging rights" to "who is going to the College Football Playoff." It’s weird seeing them in the same conference again. It feels like the old Mountain West days, but with way more money and national eyes. In 2025, BYU’s freshman QB Bear Bachmeier looked like the real deal, hurdling defenders and keeping the Cougars at the top of the conference standings. Meanwhile, Utah is navigating the post-Rising era, trying to find that offensive identity that made them Pac-12 champions.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the History
There is a huge debate that never gets settled: When did this actually start?
If you ask a Utah fan, the series began in 1896. They’ll tell you they lead the series by a wide margin. But if you talk to someone in Provo, they’ll say, "Hold on. That was Brigham Young Academy. We weren’t BYU yet." BYU’s official record starts in 1922.
Because of this, the "official" win-loss total is always different depending on which side of the Point of the Mountain you’re on.
A History of Streaks
The rivalry is defined by long, agonizing eras of dominance.
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- The Early Years: Utah dominated so hard it wasn't even funny. Between 1898 and 1941, BYU barely knew what a win looked like.
- The LaVell Era: Then came LaVell Edwards. From 1979 to 1992, BYU went 13-1 against the Utes. This is when the "little brother" narrative really started to sting in Salt Lake.
- The Streak (2010-2019): More recently, Utah won nine straight. It was a miserable decade for Cougar fans. They lost in every heart-breaking way possible—blocked field goals, fumbles on the goal line, you name it.
The Cultural Divide (Church vs. State)
You can't talk about BYU v Utah football without talking about the "Church vs. State" dynamic. It’s the elephant in the room. BYU is private, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Utah is the flagship public university.
It creates a proxy war for culture.
You’ve got families where one brother went to the U and the other went to BYU. They don't speak on game day. Seriously. It’s that petty. It’s why Max Hall’s 2009 rant—where he said he "hated everything about them"—still gets quoted today. It wasn't just about football. It was about perceived class, attitude, and lifestyle.
Why the 2025 Game Changed the Narrative
Coming into 2025, many people thought BYU’s 2024 win was a fluke. A lucky penalty. A gift.
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But the 24-21 victory in Provo this past October changed that. BYU’s defense, led by guys like Faletau Satuala and Isaiah Glasker, showed that they can play the physical, "bully-ball" style that Kyle Whittingham usually wins with.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier is the name everyone is talking about now. His 22-yard touchdown run in the 2025 game was the moment the stadium realized the power balance might actually be shifting back toward Provo. Utah fought back, taking a 14-10 lead in the fourth, but BYU’s run game with LJ Martin (who had 122 yards) was just too much.
Essential Moments You Should Know
If you're new to this, there are a few games you have to know to pass as an expert:
- 2006 (Harline’s Still Open): John Beck scrambled for what felt like twenty minutes before finding a wide-open Jonny Harline in the end zone with no time left.
- 2000 (LaVell’s Last Miracle): LaVell Edwards’ final game. BYU was down late, but Brandon Doman led a miracle drive to win it.
- 2012 (The Triple Field Storming): Utah fans rushed the field three different times because of penalties and clock reviews. It was absolute chaos.
- 2021 (The Streak Ends): BYU finally beat Utah after 11 years. The field storming in Provo was so intense you could probably see it from space.
What’s Next for the Rivalry?
The schedule is locked in. We aren't going to see another hiatus like we did a few years ago when Utah wanted to play Florida. Being in the Big 12 together means this game happens every year, usually with a trophy or a playoff spot on the line.
Keep an eye on the coaching changes. Kyle Whittingham is a legend, but the "Whittingham vs. Sitake" era is reaching its twilight. Kalani Sitake, who actually played at BYU but coached at Utah, has finally found the formula to beat his mentor.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check the Big 12 Tiebreakers: Because the conference is so crowded now, a head-to-head win in the Holy War is often the first tiebreaker for the championship game.
- Watch the Recruiting Trail: Watch for local four-star recruits in the 2026 and 2027 classes. The winner of this game usually gets the first pick of the best talent in the state.
- Plan Your Travel Early: If the game is in Salt Lake in 2026, hotels in the valley fill up six months in advance. Don't wait.
- Monitor the Quarterback Room: With Bear Bachmeier established at BYU, the pressure is on Utah to find a long-term answer at QB through the transfer portal or high school ranks.