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Hot battle for supremacy: Utah meets BYU in Holy War!
Hagen highlights the rivalry between the Utes and Cougars, which will take place on October 18, 2025 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Hot battle for supremacy: Utah meets BYU in Holy War!
On October 14, 2025, the two rivals Utah Utes and BYU Cougars will face each other again in the famous football duel. The game will take place at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, and promises to be another exciting chapter in the decades-long rivalry known as the “Holy War.” This rivalry has roots dating back to 1896 and is a central aspect of Utah culture and identity.
Both Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham and the Cougars' Kalani Sitake have a close connection. Whittingham was a former linebacker at BYU, while Sitake once served as an assistant under Whittingham at Utah. This personal involvement brings added excitement to the upcoming game, with both coaches well aware of their teams' strengths and weaknesses. The teams have similar playing styles and statistics, which only increases the anticipation for the match. According to si.com, Utah leads the Big 12 in rushing with 248.2 yards per game, followed by BYU with 238 yards.
Statistical comparisons
The stats show that Utah and BYU are close in several areas. While BYU ranks 12th in the Big 12 in passing yards and Utah ranks 13th, just 1.3 yards per game separate the two teams. Defensively, there are also minimal differences: BYU allows an average of 263.5 yards per game while holding Utah to 293.5 yards. In pass defense, Utah is second in the Big 12 with 153.7 yards and BYU is fourth in the Big 12 with 159.3 yards.
Some other notable stats that highlight the competition between the two teams:
| category | Utah | BYU |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing yards per game | 248.2 | 238 |
| Passing yards per game | 12th place | 13th place |
| Allow defensive yards | 293.5 | 263.5 |
| Third Down Conversion Rate | 60% (1st place) | 42.9% (45th place) |
| Scoring rate in the red zone | 96.6% (8th place) | 89.7% (48th place) |
A look at the more recent rivalry records shows how evenly matched the encounters have been over the years. Utah leads the all-time series 62-35-4. There were some exciting final periods with 11 of the last 20 games being decided by 7 points or less. Let's also remember BYU's biggest loss to Utah, finishing 56-6 in 1984 - that's a memory the Cougars would certainly like to erase.
A look into the future
After Utah maintained an impressive nine-game winning streak from 2010 to 2021, the momentum has wavered somewhat in recent years, with BYU's win in the controversial 2024 game marked by fan protests and a heated atmosphere. The upcoming clash will not only test both teams' current form but also take fans and players to the next level of the rivalry.
With the rivalry returning to the spotlight in the Power 5 conference after a hiatus when Utah joined the Pac-12 in 2011 and returned to rivalry matchups in 2016, expectations are high for the Oct. 18 game. Utah and BYU have a storied history both on and off the court, making the upcoming match not only a sporting highlight, but also a cultural event in Utah. The fans are ready, and that's a good thing!