Week 10 brings one of the strongest college football slates in a long time, and the Big 12 has its own centerpiece sitting right in the middle of it. Seven top-25 matchups are on the board this weekend, and while Miami at Notre Dame is the one drawing the most attention, the league’s marquee game is the Holy War.
No. 9 BYU is headed to Salt Lake to face No.
3 Utah, with the Utes still unbeaten and the Cougars trying to answer after their overtime loss to UCF two weeks ago. BYU could use another statement win, and this one comes against a Utah team that has looked steady all season.
There’s a possibility LJ Martin returns for BYU, and that would be a lift for an offense that needs it. But the odds of him being back are slim, so the Cougars may have to find production somewhere else. Their offense ranks No. 11 in the Big 12, and it’s the defense that has kept them in games.
Utah, meanwhile, has handled business without much drama. Devon Dampier has been excellent, and the Utes’ defense stacks up right alongside BYU’s. If the Cougars are going to pull this one out, Bear Bachmeier has to be sharp from start to finish, and BYU’s defense will need to create a few turnovers.
BYU is good enough to matter, and it already proved that by beating Notre Dame. But in this version of the Holy War, Utah has a little more going for it.
Final score: Utah 27, BYU 21
The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style:
In Other News...
BYU Heads To Utah With Its Big 12 Hopes Suddenly On The Line
A decisive win over Cincinnati pushed Utah to the top of the Big 12 standings and suddenly made the conference race feel a lot tighter for everyone else, including BYU. With Arizonas loss to Texas Tech effectively knocking the Wildcats out of title contention, the path through the league is narrowing fast as the calendar turns to Week 10 and the stakes keep rising.
Now the Cougars head to Utah for a matchup that could reshape the Big 12 championship picture in a hurry. It is the kind of late-season game that can swing more than one conversation at once, with bowl eligibility also in play around the league, but for BYU the bigger question is whether this trip keeps its title hopes alive or hands the edge to the team sitting at the top. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Just Reached A Crucial Point In Pursuit Of Elite Prospect
BYUs pursuit of Luka Lukic has reached a meaningful stage, with the 2027 international prospect set to begin a busy run of official visits in the United States this week. Jonathan Givony reported that the Cougars are among eight schools on the itinerary, and BYU is scheduled to host him on Saturday after recruiting him for months.
Lukic has already built a strong rsum for a young player, starring for a club in Spain while also representing Serbia on the international stage. He helped lead Serbias U17 team to a silver medal at the FIBA U17 World Cup and was named MVP at the NBA/FIBA Basketball Without Borders event, which helps explain why so many programs are now making room for him on their calendars. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Heads Into Utah Showdown With One Huge Availability Concern
BYUs first availability report for the Utah game brought an immediate dose of uncertainty to a rivalry week already carrying plenty of weight. Running back LJ Martin is listed as doubtful because of a lower-body injury, and tight end Roger Saleapaga is in the same category, leaving the Cougars with some real questions on offense as they prepare for one of the biggest games on the schedule.
The report also included a mix of players who are out, questionable, or probable, which means the final picture could still shift before kickoff. For BYU, the concern is less about the label next to one player and more about how the depth chart holds up if those doubtful tags end up becoming reality against Utah. [Read more 🡒]