For the first time in years, both BYU and Utah are storming the AP Top 15, signaling a season for the ages. But as playoff hopes and bitter memories collide, peace in the Beehive State’s fiercest rivalry remains an impossible dream—and that’s precisely what makes college football in Utah electric.
Across Utah, the college football atmosphere is reaching a fever pitch. BYU and Utah are both inside the AP Top 15 for the third consecutive week and just the ninth time ever, yet fan hearts are as hardened as ever. Talk of mutual goodwill between the Cougars and Utes is little more than a punchline, despite the most tantalizing dual-season run in more than a decade [The Associated Press poll].
The 2025 Season: Two Juggernauts, One State Divided
This campaign is historic: BYU sits at 10-1 and ranked 11th, while Utah is 9-2 and ranked 14th. Both programs have only lost to Texas Tech, with Utah’s second defeat coming at the hands of their bitter rivals BYU in a narrow contest. The possibility looms for each team to notch double-digit victories in the same year—a feat achieved just four times prior, most recently in 2021.
Yet, for all the potential Beehive State pride, the Holy War rivalry continues to define and divide. No truce in sight. As Utah alumnus and veteran sportswriter Dick Harmon puts it, “There are good fans on both sides but they are drowned out by those who spew hatred.” Each school’s success is still measured by how far it outpaces the other.
Why These Rankings Matter More Than Ever
The football narrative in Utah is more than wins and losses—it’s about legacy. In 2008, Utah finished No. 2 in the nation after defeating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, while BYU started 10-1 but fell to the Utes in their rivalry clash. This year, the Cougars and Utes have a chance to join, or even exceed, that benchmark.
- BYU can clinch a Big 12 championship appearance by beating UCF next week. Even with a loss, tiebreakers could put them in the title game—and open a pathway to their first-ever College Football Playoff berth if they win in Arlington, likely facing Texas Tech once more.
- Utah, sitting 12th in the most recent CFP Rankings, needs a win at Kansas to reach double-digit victories and secure a marquee bowl. However, struggle against Kansas State (allowing a school-record 472 rushing yards) has cast doubt on their playoff chances, though a top-tier bowl bid remains likely [AP coverage].
The Fans: Fueling Fire, Not Togetherness
Despite national admiration for Utah’s two top programs, enmity is the true constant. Both fanbases cling to grievances—recent game results, controversial plays, or even style points. This season, BYU’s hard-nosed defense and Utah’s high-octane offense have both provided new ammunition for inter-fan arguments.
Each side’s narrative is self-reinforcing: BYU touts its head-to-head win and league position, while Utah counters with point totals and “what could have been” scenarios. The common thread is competition, not unity.
Historical Context: How Did We Get Here?
Since the first Holy War meeting in 1896, bragging rights have meant more in Utah than record books. But this year pushes new boundaries: both rivals have realistic ambitions not only for a New Year’s Six bowl, but for a playoff breakthrough. The significance isn’t just state pride—it’s national relevance, with game outcomes shaping the entire College Football Playoff picture [official standings].
Meanwhile, Utah State has quietly secured bowl eligibility (6-5), but even their best season since 2021 pales in public visibility compared to the BYU-Utah spectacle.
What’s Next? The Playoff Race and the Unchanging Rivalry
Looking ahead, the rivalry’s impact extends beyond state lines. If BYU runs the table and wins the Big 12 title, a playoff bid could rewrite the narrative—and intensify the rivalry for years. If Utah redeems itself with a strong finish and a major bowl, Ute fans will spin another chapter of what-ifs and near-misses. Either way, the notion of the two fanbases celebrating each other’s big seasons is, frankly, laughable.
- Can BYU shake off its own past heartbreaks and capitalize when it matters most?
- Will Utah’s dynamic offense mask defensive question marks and earn a major postseason prize?
One certainty remains: the bigger these programs get, the more the Holy War rivalry becomes not just Utah’s business, but America’s college football obsession.
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