Undefeated Utah faces top-10 BYU in high-stakes Holy War

College football fans will turn their attention to Salt Lake City on Saturday, November 7, when No. 3 Utah hosts No. 9 BYU in a rivalry match that carries weight for the College Football Playoff. The game is set for 12 p.m. ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium and will air on ABC, with streaming options available through Fubo.

The Utes arrive with an 8-0 record, having won six of their eight games by at least two touchdowns. Their most recent contest ended in a 49-25 victory over Cincinnati, during which the offense generated more than 534 yards. Utah’s new offensive coordinator, Kevin McGiven, has shifted the strategy to a two-quarterback system that includes backup Byrd Ficklin in various roles. This approach has helped the team rank ninth in total offense nationally and second in the Big 12.

BYU enters the matchup with a more uneven recent record. The Cougars beat Notre Dame early in the season but lost to UCF in double overtime. They then defeated Arizona State by one touchdown last week. Despite these fluctuations, the team’s resume includes wins against Arizona and the Fighting Irish, keeping them in the top tier of the playoff race.

Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier has accumulated 1,750 passing yards, 336 rushing yards, and 19 touchdowns this season. He scored via pass, rush, and reception in the Notre Dame win. However, his rushing output has dropped recently, with only 15 yards on 16 carries against Arizona State. Coaches note that unlocking this ground game is essential for the Cougars to compete effectively.

The battle in the trenches could decide the outcome. Utah replaced all five starting offensive linemen who left for the NFL last season. The new group has adapted, with left tackle Zereoue Williams emerging as a standout. However, left guard Kelvin Obot is out for the season with an injury. BYU’s defense aims to replicate the pressure that exposed vulnerabilities for the Utes in their game against Colorado.

Historical data shows the rivalry has shifted over time. BYU won 19 of 21 meetings during the LaVell Edwards era. Utah took over from 2002 to 2020, winning 14 of 17 contests. BYU has won the last three meetings, including two Big 12 matchups decided by a combined four points. SportsLine analysts simulated the game 10,000 times, finding that the 4.5-point spread is high given the closeness of recent history. The model favors BYU to cover that spread.