For the first time in the Holy War's history, BYU and Utah are both ranked in the top 10 ahead of their matchup at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday at noon ET on ABC.
The undefeated Utes are 4.5-point home favorites, and my BYU vs. Utah prediction and college football picks back Morgan Scalley to lead his program to its first Holy War win since 2019.
BYU vs Utah prediction
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Early BYU vs Utah spread pick: Utah -4.5
The BYU vs. Utah rivalry is more than 100 years old, but for the first time, both teams are ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 poll for a Holy War matchup with massive College Football Playoff ramifications.
The BYU Cougars have had a wild ride the last few weeks, from upsetting No. 2 Notre Dame, to losing in double overtime to unranked UCF, to blowing a lead against Arizona State last week before winning 27-20. They've done all that without star running back LJ Martin, whose status for this game is key. I like Utah up to -6.5 if Martin doesn't play, but only up to -4.5 if he does.
Regardless, the Utah Utes are the better football team and a bad matchup for BYU. They have one of the top defenses in the country, ranking No. 13 in points allowed per opportunity (2.70), No. 19 in success rate (39.4%) and No. 20 in third- and fourth-down success rate (37.7%).
BYU asks so much of Bear Bachmeier, and if Utah's front seven slows him down in the run game, the Cougars won't be able to keep up.
The Utes also have one of the top secondaries in college football and should be able to contain freshman Legend Glasker enough for Devon Dampier and the offense to run away with this, literally.
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Early BYU vs Utah total pick: Over 48.5
Utah's run game is diabolical, and because of how the Utes' offense matches up with the Cougars' defense, I'd take the Over up to 50.5.
With Dampier behind center, star running back Wayshawn Parker and one of the best offensive lines in the country, Utah offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven leans heavily on the ground game, using plenty of misdirection that should put BYU's ultra-aggressive linebackers in conflict.
The Utes are 19th nationally in EPA per rush and shouldn't have trouble exposing a BYU defense that's 74th in rush success rate (45%). And if Martin is playing, expect a run-heavy approach from the Cougars, too.
Utah's secondary is its strength, while BYU's strength is its run game with Bachmeier (and Martin when healthy), which ranks 33rd nationally in rush success rate (47.5%).
Combined, these two teams average more than 400 rushing yards per game and are 10-6 to the Over.
BYU vs Utah odds
- BYU vs Utah spread: Utah -4.5
- BYU vs Utah moneyline: BYU 36%, Utah 64%
- BYU vs Utah Over/Under: 48.5
How to watch BYU vs Utah
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 12 p.m. ET
- City: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium
- TV: ABC
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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