This year’s version of the Holy War will feature both teams being ranked for the first time since 2009 when the 5-1 Utah Utes travel 50 miles south to take on the undefeated BYU Cougars in Provo, UT.
While the Cougars have won consecutive matchups in this series and are at home as the higher ranked team, they are still slight underdogs.
Find out who I like in my Utah vs. BYU predictions and college football picks for Saturday, October 18.
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Utah vs BYU prediction
Utah vs BYU best bet: BYU +3.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
This spread seems a bit disrespectful to the BYU Cougars given that they are playing at home and undefeated on the season. They also have beaten the Utah Utes each of the last two times they faced each other. This may be a bit of an overreaction to Utah’s dominating win over Arizona State last week.
The Utes have yet to have a big road test and the last time they faced an extremely dangerous offense, they allowed 34 points to Texas Tech. The big issue is their run defense, which ranks 67th nationally allowing 142.2 yards per game.
The Cougars are an excellent run team, ranking 11th in the country averaging 38.0 yards per contest. Last week against Arizona, they ran for 258 yards on 51 carries. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier gets heavily involved in the run game with 295 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.
In that Texas Tech game, Utah allowed 173 rushing yards, including 61 yards from quarterback Will Hammond. BYU is going to be able to establish the run and move the ball. That will be enough to make the difference in this game between two great defenses.
Utah vs BYU same-game parlay
To add to the spread, I am going to add both Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin to hit their rushing totals. It will take a team effort for the Cougars in the run game, and both will find their space to run.
Utah vs BYU SGP
- BYU +3.5
- LJ Martin Over 88.5 rushing yards
- Bear Bachmeier Over 47.5 rushing yards
Our deep-ball SGP: Run Heavy
Finally adding a Utah touchdown scorer will really boost our odds.
I am going with quarterback Devon Dampier to find the endzone with his legs, which he has done five times this season.
Utah vs BYU SGP
- BYU +3.5
- LJ Martin Over 88.5 rushing yards
- Bear Bachmeier Over 47.5 rushing yards
- Devon Dampier anytime touchdown
Utah vs BYU odds
- Spread: Utah -3.5 (-110) | BYU +3.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Utah -164 | BYU +138
- Over/Under: Over 49.5 (-105) | Under 49.5 (-115)
Utah vs BYU trend to know
BYU has hit the Moneyline in 10 of their last 12 games. Find more college football betting trends for Utah vs BYU.
How to watch Utah vs BYU
| Location | LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT |
| Date | Saturday, October 18, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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