The rivalry between the Brigham Young University Cougars and the University of Utah Utes, known colloquially as the “Holy War,” stands out in college football for its exceptional intensity. While geographical proximity always fuels a rivalry—the schools are barely 45 miles apart on Interstate 15—this particular feud is truly fierce because it involves a potent blend of cultural identity, religious difference, and now, major conference championship implications.

At its core, the Holy War is a “Church versus State” clash. BYU is a private institution owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, drawing a devoutly religious student body and fanbase. Utah, conversely, is the flagship public, secular university of the state. This dichotomy allows the rivalry to serve as a proxy war for broader cultural debates, turning football—and all athletic competition—into a personal mandate. It is not uncommon for members of the same family or neighbors living on the same street to have fiercely divided loyalties, ensuring that the winner claims year-long, deeply personal bragging rights.

Adding to the historical venom is the sheer competitiveness of the matchup. Games are rarely blowouts; instead, they are often decided by dramatic, last-minute, or controversial plays, contributing to a sense of unresolved animosity. Now that both programs are reunited in the Big 12 Conference, the stakes have returned to their historical high. Every Holy War game carries the weight of a potential conference title or a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff race. This restoration of meaningful consequence, layered atop the deep, inherent cultural friction, ensures the rivalry remains one of the most hostile and captivating in the nation.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

SupplyHouse
Join the free TradeMaster program today and score serious perks like priority shipping, lower prices, and a dedicated support line. Visit https://www.supplyhouse.com/apply-for-trademasterto sign up for free and use promo code SHCOLLEGE5 for 5% off your first order.

Wayfair
Get organized, refreshed, and back to routine for way less. Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.

Peloton
Let yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.

Rugiet
150,000 men have made the switch →https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE
Use code LOCKEDONNFL to get 15% off your order!

DoorDash
With DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18.

Mazda
It’s the small details that make the big plays. And just like there’s more to every player, there’s more to a Mazda vehicle.
Mazda. Move and Be Moved.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at https://www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)