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The 'Holy War' Puts BYU-Utah Rivalry on National Stage for Big 12
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- The 'Holy War' Puts BYU-Utah Rivalry on National Stage for Big 12
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The No. 7 BYU Cougars head north to Salt Lake City on Saturday to take on No. 3 Utah in one of college football's most anticipated rivalry matchups.
To say there's a lot on the line is an understatement. Both teams are looking to take a step forward on the national scene in what could be a Big 12 title play-in game.
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With just one loss on the season, the Cougars will try and break the Utes' winning steak of 14 games, which is the longest in the country. Utah is undefeated at 8-0 for the first time in years. First-year head coach Morgan Scalley knows the importance of bragging rights, but this is deeper. The winner will take a significant step toward controlling their own destiny.
"That's how much the rivalry ... It means a lot," Scalley said on Monday.
For BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, the matchup carries a different level of emotional ties. He has spent time on both sidelines and has a ton of respect for Scalley. The two were assistants together for the Utes under Kyle Whittingham.
"Obviously, you guys know my background with that place. I have a lot of love for that university," Sitake said. "Being that I spent 10 years there, I have a lot of love for Morgan Scalley as a head coach. He and I worked together for a decade. We cut our teeth together."
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This means more for both coaches, but putting all that aside will be tough. Sitake and Scalley find themselves leading their respective alma maters in one of the biggest games of the season. The stakes couldn't be much higher and the Big 12 is going to benefit from this one.
Beyond the hype, Sitake praised Scalley's leadership and the job he has done in his first season in Salt Lake City.
"He has done a great job as a leader, getting the team ready," Sitake said. "These games come down to 1 to 2 scores, just a lot of intensity in the game, and it just seems to get the best of the players on the field."
The 'Holy War' rivalry has always been built around being a high intensity event. However, this year's edition is one of the history books. Never before has BYU and Utah been ranked in the top 10 while facing each other. There's a chance both teams could make the College Football Playoff. Even ESPN has predicted there will be an encore in the postseason for these two bitter rivals.
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"Maybe there's more riding on it now with the playoffs," Sitake said. "It just makes sense that we're in the same conference, and it makes sense that we're in a power conference like the Big 12. It's going to be a great game."
With Utah being undefeated, they quickly became the team to knock off in the conference. The Utes are one of three teams in the country who are perfect heading into Week 9, joining last year's runner-up Miami and UCLA.
Utah is defending its home field against a one-loss BYU squad, who lost to UCF in double overtime two weeks ago. Saturday's showdown has the potential to shake up the Big 12 race and add another storyline in the final month of the regular season.
One thing is certain with the 'Holy War': Expect the unexpected with a fast-paced game.
No. 3 Utah hosts No. 7 BYU at Noon ET and will broadcast on ABC .
