BYU and Utah are conference rivals again for the first time since 2010, and the latest edition of the Holy War in Salt Lake City carries big stakes for both teams.
No. 9 BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) stands as the last unbeaten team in the Big 12. The Cougars hold a one-game lead atop the standings, and a win over the Utes (4-4, 1-4) would put them a step closer to clinching a spot in the conference championship game.
Utah desperately needs a victory to avoid dropping five straight games. The Utes are embracing their rare status as an underdog in a series where they have won nine of the past 10 games dating back to 2010. The lone exception was in the latest meeting, a 26-17 home win for BYU in 2021.
“To own the state of Utah, to sour out those guys’ season, it would be big for us and the team,” Utah running back Jaylon Glover said. “I just feel like if we come out (with a win) it would give us a boost for the remainder of the season.”
Upsetting BYU will not be a simple task. The Cougars are operating effectively on both sides of the ball.
BYU is scoring 35.1 points per game while averaging 410.0 yards per game.
“That’s the name of the game for our offense so far this year,” Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff said. “You watch our progression game by game and we just look better and better with a more polished result week by week.”
On defense, the Cougars lead the league in takeaways (18) and are tied for the lead in interceptions (14). Eleven different players have made at least one interception for BYU this season. Four different players have recovered a fumble.
The Cougars have excelled at playing complementary football in all three phases.
“You have to buy into your 1/11th,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “I think our guys are doing a great job at it. Have we played perfect? No. Can we play better? Yes. And I’d like to see that happen this weekend.”
Utah re-opened competition for the starting quarterback job during its bye last week following a 17-14 loss at Houston, when Isaac Wilson was benched early in the second half. Brandon Rose finished out the game, but he threw a late interception that led to Houston’s game-winning field goal on the final play.
Wilson and Rose took an equal share of reps with the first team, but neither quarterback was publicly named the starter ahead of Saturday.
“We’ve got a good plan right now,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “We’ll keep it to ourselves, obviously, but we have a plan going forward and nothing is ever set in stone but we feel like we have a situation that’s best for us and gives us the best chance to win.”
The Holy War is one of four protected rivalries in the Big 12 Conference that will be scheduled on an annual basis.
