BYU and Utah are heading into their second matchup in the Big 12. How does it change in a power conference?
BYU Football and Utah Football are both in a power conference together. That means there is more at stake and the rivalry is hotter. BYU and Utah have each had their moments to shine. BYU is on a two-game winning streak and the last game went down as one of the best games in series history.
BYU was facing fourth and long inside their five-yard line. BYU was stopped but a holding call gave them a first down. The Cougars drove down the field and Will Ferrin hit a 23-yard field goal to give BYU the lead. Utah failed to score on the kickoff and BYU won it.
BYU and Utah have been in the same conference before, but this is the first time they have been in a power conference. The Cougars and the Utes have already felt some of the heat after the 2024 meeting. Being in a power conference means there is a College Football Playoff berth at stake, and both teams want that badly.
On top of a College Football Playoff berth, the Big 12 brings more exposure to the Holy War, as well as more frequent meetings between the Cougars and the Utes, heating up the rivalry. While BYU was an independent program, they met Utah most years but took some years off. Now that they are in the Big 12 together, they will meet regularly and compete for a Big 12 title every year.
The rivalry is now more than just in-state glory. A conference title and CFP spot are also on the line, and both teams will be hungry for those. In-state rivalries thrive when they are in the same conference but can be problematic as well. Utah Football’s loss to BYU in November 2024 had some angry responses from Head Coach Kyle Whittingham and Athletic Director Mark Harlan. The emotions are going to be higher and the stakes have been raised.
BYU and Utah have a great rivalry and it will be exciting to see what the future holds. Both teams will want to win games and lift trophies. State and Conference supremacy is at stake and it is going to be fun to watch. I have my eye on this game and it should be exciting.
