BYU and Utah are set to play the 98th edition of the famous "Holy War" on the gridiron. If you're reading this, I don't need to tell you that this is one of the most intense (toxic?) rivalries in all of sports. BYU has won three in a row and Utah has not won a matchup since 2019.
Things feel different this season. Maybe it's the recent expansion to a 12-team playoff. Maybe it's conference realignment finally settling (for now). But what's for sure is that the stakes of the Holy War have never been higher.
Both BYU and Utah enter Saturday's matchup ranked inside the top 10. That's the first time in this storied rivalry's history. Previously, the highest ranked matchup featured in this pairing was in 2008, when Utah rose to No. 8 before hosting No. 16 BYU. That was an emphatic win for Utah on their way to a perfect 13-0 season with a win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
This year, Utah rolls into the game No. 3. BYU sits at No. 7. Utah is undefeated, with a ranked win over Houston on their resume. The Cougars are 6-1, three weeks removed from a huge win over No. 2 Notre Dame followed by a devastating upset to UCF. BYU bounced back with a win over a feisty Arizona State team at home.
So, what makes this the highest-stakes Holy War ever? Aside from the fact that it's the first top 10 matchup in the rivalry's history, what's lined up for the winner is as delicious as ever. Whoever wins is a near lock to make it to Arlington for the Big 12 Championship Game. Per Pro Football Network , currently, Utah has a 93.2% chance at making the College Football Playoff. Beating BYU puts those chances at 98.3%. BYU's odds to make the 12-team bracket sits at 41%. If they were to beat Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium, it skyrockets to 71.3%. However, the kicker is that if BYU loses, their chances plummet 26.9%.
It's safe to say BYU really needs this win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Utah might make it either way. By virtue of BYU losing to unranked UCF, the Cougars lost any and all wiggle room.
In short, the winner of this game will be in prime position to win the Big 12 and waltz into the College Football Playoff. Thus, it's not hyperbole to say that this Holy War has national championship implications . Historically, big stakes like that have been reserved for one party of this matchup in any given year. This year, it's both. The winner will be in prime position to fulfill their dreams.
