No. 3 Utah hosts No. 7 BYU in a rivalry game with major stakes for the Big 12 title race and College Football Playoff hopes. Utah is unbeaten and atop the conference; a win would strengthen its position, while BYU needs to keep pace with the Utes and Texas Tech. The game also revives a rivalry shaped by recent momentum swings: BYU has won the last three meetings after Utah’s nine-game winning streak.

By the Numbers
  • Utah: 8-0 overall, 5-0 in the Big 12.
  • BYU and Texas Tech: 7-1 overall, 4-1 in the Big 12.
  • Utah has won 14 straight games, the longest active streak in the FBS.
  • Kickoff is at 10 a.m. local time in Salt Lake City.
Yes, But

The winner gains a significant edge, but the race is not settled: Texas Tech remains in contention and does not face either Utah or BYU in the regular season. A loss could hurt BYU’s title and playoff chances, while Utah still faces a tougher closing schedule.

State of Play
  • Utah, BYU and Texas Tech lead the Big 12 race; four teams with two conference losses remain mathematically alive.
  • The Big 12 has never placed multiple teams in the College Football Playoff.
  • Utah’s remaining opponents include Arizona, TCU and West Virginia; BYU still plays Baylor, Kansas and Cincinnati.
What's Next

The rivalry result will reshape the conference standings, but both teams will have more chances to strengthen their cases. Texas Tech also needs to keep winning, while the initial playoff rankings and a crowded slate of high-profile games could influence the national picture.

Bottom Line

This is more than a rivalry game: it is a pivotal test of whether Utah can protect its lead and whether BYU can stay in the Big 12 and playoff chase.