BYU vs. Utah Football: The Holy War Is Here

Two of college football's biggest rivals are set to face off in one of the most exciting games of the 2026 season. No. 4 Utah will host No. 8 BYU on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. This game is known as the 'Holy War,' and this year it means more than ever. The winner will be in great position to play in the Big 12 championship game and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Utah has had a nearly perfect season so far. The Utes are 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big 12 conference. They rank No. 11 in the country in scoring offense and No. 15 in scoring defense. That makes them one of only two teams — along with Notre Dame and Georgia — to be in the top 15 in both areas. Quarterback Devon Dampier has thrown and run for 2,269 total yards and 23 touchdowns this season.

The team has also made a smooth switch at head coach. Kyle Whittingham, who had coached Utah for many years, was replaced by Morgan Scalley. Scalley was the coach-in-waiting, meaning he was already being trained to take over. So far, the change has worked out very well for the Utes. Their strong record heading into the Holy War shows the team has adjusted smoothly.

BYU is not far behind, though. The Cougars come in at 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big 12. One of their biggest wins this year came on Oct. 17, when they beat then-No. 2 Notre Dame at home. That victory showed the whole country that BYU is a serious contender. They also rank tied for 25th in the nation in scoring defense, giving up just 18.8 points per game.

History is also on BYU's side in this rivalry. The Cougars have won the last three Holy War games in a row, including a close 24-21 victory over Utah last year in Provo. If they can keep that streak alive, it would be a huge boost going into the end of the regular season. Both teams know exactly how much is at stake in this year's Holy War.