The No. 3 ranked Utah Utes are set to host the No. 7 BYU Cougars in a highly anticipated "Holy War" rivalry game that carries significant weight for the Big 12 Conference Championship. The contest, kicking off at 10 a.m. local time, is one of the final crucial matchups in the regular season that will help determine the conference title contenders.
Utah currently leads the Big 12 with an 8-0 conference record, while BYU sits in second place at 7-1. Both teams, along with No. 13 Texas Tech, are in contention for a spot in the conference championship game. Texas Tech, also 7-1 in conference play, does not face either Utah or BYU during the regular season, adding another layer of complexity to the race.
Neither Utah nor BYU has yet secured a Big 12 title. Last year, BYU reached the championship game but lost to Texas Tech. For Utah, this game marks an opportunity to solidify its position as the conference's top team and potentially secure a favorable College Football Playoff ranking.
Utah head coach Morgan Scalley acknowledged the early start but expressed confidence in the home crowd's enthusiasm. "I know our fans are juiced and fired up and they’ll be there early and excited for this one," Scalley said. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake noted the unique timing but emphasized his team's focus. "The guys are really focused. There’s more energy and more effort towards the preparation for this game than ever before," he stated.
The rivalry has seen shifts in momentum, with BYU winning the last three matchups after Utah had a nine-game winning streak. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier recognized the deep significance of the rivalry, noting that he heard about it throughout the offseason.
This game is part of a challenging November schedule for the Big 12 contenders. Utah, one of three remaining undefeated teams in the FBS, has won 14 consecutive games. Their remaining schedule includes road games against Arizona and TCU, and a home finale against West Virginia. BYU faces Baylor and Cincinnati, with a road game at Kansas in between. Texas Tech will play road games at Oklahoma State and Baylor before hosting TCU.
The Big 12 is looking to make history as the only Power 4 conference never to have had multiple teams in the College Football Playoff. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire highlighted the importance of the upcoming weekend for playoff implications across the nation, including key matchups in other conferences.
Both Scalley and Sitake have deep ties to their respective alma maters, having previously worked together on Utah's coaching staff. Their close friendship adds a personal dimension to the intense rivalry.