If you aren't from the 801 or the 801-adjacent parts of the Beehive State, you probably think the Utah Utes football vs BYU football rivalry is just about proximity. Two schools, 45 miles apart on I-15. Red versus blue. Church versus state.
That's the brochure version. Honestly, it’s much weirder and more intense than that.
The "Holy War" isn’t just a nickname; it’s a lifestyle. It’s the kind of rivalry where families literally stop talking for a week in November (or October, depending on the Big 12 schedule). It’s where a holding call in the final minutes can lead to a university athletic director getting fined for a post-game meltdown about officiating.
Basically, it's college football at its most unhinged. And now that both are in the Big 12, the stakes have shifted from "local bragging rights" to "who's going to the College Football Playoff."
The 2025 collision and the new Big 12 reality
Let’s talk about what just happened, because the 2025 game was a certified instant classic. BYU walked into that game at LaVell Edwards Stadium ranked No. 15 and sitting on a perfect 6-0 record. Utah was No. 23, clawing back after some early-season stumbles.
It was the first time since 2009 that both teams were ranked when they met. Think about that. For sixteen years, we’ve been waiting for a matchup where both teams were actually good at the same time.
BYU won 24-21. It was their third straight win in the series, which is something Cougar fans haven't been able to say since the early 90s. Bear Bachmeier—the younger brother of former Boise State and Louisiana Tech QB Hank Bachmeier—put the team on his back. He didn't just throw for a touchdown; he basically dragged three Utah defenders into the end zone on a 22-yard run that felt like the nail in the coffin.
Utah, meanwhile, did what Utah does. They outgained BYU. They had more first downs. They outplayed them in almost every statistical category except the one that actually matters. Kyle Whittingham’s post-game quote was peak Whittingham: "We outrushed them, outthrew them, out-first-downed them, but we didn't score more points."
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That’s the Holy War in a nutshell. You can dominate the box score and still lose because of a muffed punt or a fourth-down stop at the one-yard line.
Why the "Church vs. State" narrative is actually true
People love to say the "Church vs. State" thing is overblown. It isn't.
BYU is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It has a strict honor code. It feels different. Utah is the secular, flagship state school. The cultural divide is real. You’ve got neighbors who have lived next to each other for twenty years who won’t look at each other on game day.
It’s personal.
Historically, Utah dominated the early years—like, "didn't lose for twenty years" level of dominance. Then LaVell Edwards showed up at BYU in the 70s and flipped the script, winning 21 out of 28 games. Then Utah went on a nine-game tear from 2010 to 2019.
The pendulum just keeps swinging. Right now, it's firmly on the BYU side, but with Devon Dampier returning for his senior season at Utah in 2026, that could change fast.
Recent Results (The "New Era" in the Big 12)
- 2025: BYU 24, Utah 21 (Provo)
- 2024: BYU 22, Utah 21 (Salt Lake City)
- 2021: BYU 26, Utah 17 (Provo)
If you're keeping track, that's three games decided by a total of 13 points. These teams can't even play a boring game if they tried.
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What to expect for Utah Utes football vs BYU football in 2026
If you’re looking ahead to 2026, things are getting even more complicated.
Utah just got the massive news that quarterback Devon Dampier is coming back. That’s huge. The kid is a human highlight reel. He became the first Utah QB since Alex Smith to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 800 in the same season. He’s the engine of that offense. With a new offensive coordinator coming in to help him out, the Utes are going to be a nightmare to defend.
BYU is in a different spot. They’re losing some heavy hitters on defense, specifically in the secondary. Their new defensive coordinator, Kelly Poppinga, has already been hit with a reality check: they need cornerbacks, and they need them yesterday.
But BYU has stayed surprisingly "sticky" in the transfer portal. They keep their guys. Star running back LJ Martin is back for his senior year, which is a massive win for Kalani Sitake. When Martin is healthy, the BYU offense is a completely different animal. When he’s out? They struggle in the red zone.
The Beehive Boot and the trophy you didn't know existed
Most people talk about the rivalry, but they forget about the Beehive Boot. It’s the trophy awarded to the best team in the state of Utah (which also includes Utah State).
It’s an actual boot. From the 1800s.
It’s arguably the ugliest and coolest trophy in college football. Because the rivalry went on a hiatus when Utah moved to the Pac-12 and BYU went independent, the Boot lost some of its shine. But now that they’re back in the same conference, the "state championship" actually means something again.
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Surviving the rivalry: A fan's guide
If you’re planning on attending a game at Rice-Eccles or LaVell Edwards, here is some unsolicited advice.
First, don’t wear the wrong color. Obviously. But seriously, the "Red Zone" in Salt Lake and the "ROC" in Provo are not places where you want to be wearing the opponent’s gear unless you have very thick skin.
Second, understand the officiating will be a talking point. Always. Whether it’s a "holding" call that gives BYU a second chance (2024) or a "triple field storming" (2012), something weird will happen with the refs. Just accept it as part of the lore.
Third, look at the lines. The 2025 game saw BYU as a two-point underdog at home while undefeated. The Vegas oddsmakers clearly don't know what to do with this game, and honestly, neither do the fans.
Key players to watch in the next chapter
- Devon Dampier (QB, Utah): The senior leader. If he stays healthy, Utah is a Top 10 team. Period.
- LJ Martin (RB, BYU): The workhorse. If he’s getting 20+ carries, BYU usually wins.
- Isaac Wilson (QB, Utah): Zach Wilson’s younger brother. He’s the backup for now, but the talent is undeniable.
- Chase Roberts (WR, BYU): A massive target who always seems to make the catch when the game is on the line.
Actionable steps for the 2026 season
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the next installment of Utah Utes football vs BYU football, you should start tracking the transfer portal now. Both schools are aggressively filling gaps.
- Monitor Utah's Offensive Line: They’ve struggled with depth. If they land two high-level transfers here, Dampier becomes unstoppable.
- Watch BYU's Secondary: Keep an eye on the portal for those two cornerbacks Poppinga mentioned. If they don't find them, the Utes will exploit that through the air.
- Check the Schedule: The Big 12 doesn't always put this game on the final weekend of the year anymore. Make sure you know the date before you book your flights to SLC or Provo.
- Follow the Podcast Scene: If you want the real "dirt," listen to Cougar Tracks or the local Utah sports talk. The "banter" (as the Big 12 fans call it) is where you find the real injury updates and locker room vibes.
The "Holy War" has never been bigger. It’s no longer just a regional oddity; it’s a heavyweight fight in one of the most chaotic conferences in America. Whether you're rooting for the Utes or the Cougars, one thing is certain: it's going to be a stressful Saturday.