Big 12 Race: Unbeaten Utah Hosts BYU in a Holy War That Could Shape the Title

A crucial early kickoff

The Holy War begins at 10 a.m. local time at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The kickoff was set to fit a noon television window on the East Coast. Utah enters at 8-0 overall and 5-0 in Big 12 games, while BYU sits in second place. Texas Tech is also close enough to remain part of the title-race picture.

Rivalry history and stakes

BYU has taken the last three games between the teams. Before that stretch, Utah won nine straight in the rivalry. Utah quarterback Devon Dampier said the rivalry followed him throughout the offseason. BYU coach Kalani Sitake joked about the challenge of getting up early for the game.

Texas Tech watches closely

Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said he would follow the first playoff rankings, scheduled to be released Tuesday night, as well as other games with playoff implications. His team hosts West Virginia on Saturday night.

McGuire expects Texas Tech to begin near its position in the AP Top 25, which he described as within striking distance. He said the Red Raiders would need to finish in the top 11, since the 12th playoff place goes to the highest-ranked Group of Six team; No. 20 Boise State currently holds that standing.

Coaches with shared roots

Utah coach Scalley and Sitake are leading their alma maters, and members of their staffs have ties to both schools. Sitake played fullback under BYU coach Lavelle Edwards, while Scalley played safety and returned punts for Utah.

Scalley became Utah’s defensive coordinator in 2016 and took over after Whittingham stepped down last December. Whittingham, who had a school-record 177 wins, was hired by Michigan two weeks later.

Scalley and Sitake are close friends. Sitake recalled that they once imagined becoming head coaches, though he said they had not pictured coaching their respective alma maters.

A crowded Big 12 chase

Two weeks earlier, Utah, BYU and Texas Tech were all 6-0. BYU then lost in double overtime at UCF, while Texas Tech fell at Cincinnati; Texas Tech later beat No. 24 Arizona, and BYU defeated Arizona State.

Utah’s remaining schedule includes road games at Arizona and TCU, followed by a home finale against West Virginia. Arizona, Baylor, No. 17 Houston and Oklahoma State each have two conference losses and remain in contention, though they need the teams above them to falter.

Utah is one of three unbeaten teams, alongside Miami and No. 5 UCLA. Scalley said he was confident his players would stay focused on the current week rather than playoff talk.