BYU is sticking with a look that has already worked against Utah.
When the 9th-ranked Cougars take on the Utes on November 7 at 10 a.m. MT, they’ll do it in all-royal blue. It’s the same uniform combination BYU wore in the last two meetings with Utah, both of which ended in Cougar wins.
The school announced the choice with a simple message: “COUGS IN ALL ROYAL 🤙”
That shade has become a regular part of this rivalry. Since 2011, BYU and Utah games have featured the Utes in red and BYU in some version of blue. Since 2013, BYU has worn royal blue every year against Utah.
This season’s uniform slate has already taken BYU through a mix of looks, starting with an all-royal helmet, royal blue jersey and white pants in a 63-7 win over Utah Tech. The Cougars also went all-white at Colorado State, wore “Royal Sitake” at TCU, showed up in white helmets and navy blue against Iowa State, and used a white helmet, royal blue jersey and white pants for the Notre Dame win.
There’s been variety elsewhere, too. BYU wore a royal blue helmet with a white facemask, white uniform and white pants in a 39-31 double-overtime loss at UCF, then followed that with an all-navy blue look in a 27-20 win over Arizona State.
The Utah game now slots into a familiar pattern. BYU’s all-royal blue setup was also the choice in 2025 against the Utes, when the Cougars won 24-21, and in 2024, when they edged Utah 22-21.
The full 2026 slate also lists upcoming games against Baylor on November 14, at Kansas on November 21, and Cincinnati on November 28.
Looking back, BYU’s 2025 uniform choices included navy blue against Portland State, royal blue and white against Stanford, all-white at Colorado, royal blue jersey and pants with a white helmet against West Virginia, and a royal blue helmet, white jersey and royal blue pants at Arizona. The Cougars also wore “Royal Sitake” at Cincinnati, a royal blue helmet and uniform with white pants against UCF, and an all-white helmet and facemask with royal blue decals in the Big 12 Championship against Texas Tech.
In 2024, BYU opened with a royal blue jersey, pants and helmet against Southern Illinois, then used a white jersey and navy helmet at SMU, “ROYAL SITAKE” at Wyoming, and throwback 1996 uniforms against Kansas State in honor of BYU’s 100th season as a program. The Cougars also wore all-white with royal blue numbers and stripes at Baylor, a traditional royal blue jersey with white pants against Arizona, and a royal blue jersey with white pants and a white helmet against Oklahoma State.
The 2023 season brought another long list of combinations, including a royal helmet and jersey with white pants against Sam Houston, a new navy helmet and navy blue uniform against SUU, and a royal blue helmet with white facemask, white jersey and royal blue pants at Arkansas. BYU also used all-white with navy trim at Kansas, “Royal Rush” against Cincinnati, a traditional white-helmet look at TCU, and a blackout against Iowa State.
In Other News...
Keanu Tanuvasa Brings Extra Emotion Into BYU Rivalry Week
Rivalry week already carries its own weight in Provo, but Keanu Tanuvasa has brought a more personal layer to it. The BYU defensive tackle spent time at Utah before transferring across the rivalry line, and he has had to sort through what that means as the Cougars prepare for the next meeting between the programs. His perspective is shaped not just by the switch in uniforms, but by his relationship with Utah coach Morgan Scalley and the familiarity that comes with having lived on both sides of the matchup.
This week also arrives with something far bigger than football hanging over Tanuvasas head, since his wife is due to deliver their son. Even as he balances that family milestone, he has been talking about Utahs team and the responsibility he feels as a leader on BYUs defensive line. It gives the rivalry an extra edge, with Tanuvasa standing in the middle of a game that means plenty in the standings and even more in his own life. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Heads Into Utah With One Huge Question On Offense
BYUs ground game has lost some of its edge over the last four games since star running back LJ Martin went down with a leg injury, and the timing could hardly be worse with Utah next on the schedule. The setback has not been just about one player, either, because injuries along the offensive line have also made it harder for the Cougars to get consistent push up front and keep the run game on track.
Martin did practice recently, which at least gives BYU some hope as it heads into a rivalry matchup that usually demands physical football. Even so, his availability is still uncertain, leaving the Cougars to lean on a collective answer from the offense if they want to get the rushing attack moving again against Utah. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Biggest Utah Question May Come Down To LJ Martin
LJ Martins status has become one of the biggest questions hanging over BYUs buildup to Utah, and it comes at a time when the Cougars could use every bit of backfield stability they can get. The running back has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Oct. 3, but he was back at practice recently, offering at least a sign that his recovery is moving in the right direction.
Still, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said it is too soon to know whether Martin will be ready for the game, leaving his availability very much up in the air. Preston Rex is expected to return from injury, which helps the depth chart, but Martins potential presence would carry a different kind of weight for a rivalry game where every healthy playmaker matters. [Read more 🡒]