The college football landscape will pause on Saturday, November 7, as No. 3 Utah hosts No. 9 BYU for what is being called the most significant edition of the Holy War in history. The matchup is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City and will be broadcast on ABC, with live streaming available through Fubo.
The Utah Utes enter the contest with an undefeated 8-0 record, having demonstrated dominance in the majority of their games. Six of their eight victories have come by a margin of at least two touchdowns. Most recently, the Utes dismantled Cincinnati with a 49-25 score, powered by an offensive output that exceeded 534 yards.
BYU, however, has shown some inconsistency since their early season upset of Notre Dame in Provo. The Cougars suffered a double-overtime loss to UCF and secured a narrow one-touchdown victory over Arizona State in the previous week. Despite these recent struggles, their resume remains strong enough to compete with the top teams in the College Football Playoff race, bolstered by wins against Arizona and the Fighting Irish.
The rivalry between the two schools has seen significant shifts in momentum over the decades. BYU held a commanding advantage during the LaVell Edwards era, winning 19 of 21 meetings. However, the balance of power tipped toward Utah beginning in 2002, with the Utes holding a 14-3 record over that span. Since 2021, BYU has reclaimed the upper hand, winning three consecutive games, including both matchups as Big 12 members by a combined four points. This 2026 contest has the potential to be an all-time classic.
A key factor for Utah is their revamped offensive unit, led by new coordinator Kevin McGiven, who joined from Utah State. McGiven has implemented a diverse strategy that frequently utilizes a two-quarterback system, featuring backup Byrd Ficklin in various roles across the field. This innovation has helped Utah rank ninth in total offense nationally and second within the Big 12.
For BYU, sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been a standout performer in the conference. He has accumulated 1,750 passing yards, 336 rushing yards, and 19 touchdowns this season. Bachmeier demonstrated his versatility in the win over Notre Dame by scoring via pass, rush, and reception. However, his rushing game has been limited recently, with only 15 yards on 16 carries against Arizona State. The Cougars will need to unlock his rushing threat to compete effectively.
The game may ultimately be decided in the trenches. Utah lost all five starting offensive linemen to the NFL last season, including two tackles. The group has adapted well, highlighted by breakout left tackle Zereoue Williams. However, left guard Kelvin Obot is out for the season due to injury, and Colorado has previously exposed vulnerabilities in this unit. If BYU’s defense can replicate that pressure, it could define the outcome of the game.
SportsLine analysts have simulated this Week 10 matchup 10,000 times using their computer model. While Utah has been remarkably steady, BYU’s recent play suggests they are not at their peak. Given that the last two Holy War games were decided by an average of just two points, the current spread of 4.5 points is considered high. The model favors BYU to cover the spread at +4.5.
