Breaking Down Utah Football’s 2026 Schedule: Morgan Scalley’s First Season Brings SEC Showdowns, Rivalry Heat, and Big 12 Battles
Morgan Scalley’s first season at the helm of Utah football is officially mapped out-and it’s a schedule that wastes no time heating up. With seven home games at Rice-Eccles Stadium, a rare SEC visit, and both in-state rivals coming to Salt Lake City, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the Utes under their new head coach.
Let’s walk through the full slate and break down what fans can expect this fall.
Thursday, September 3 - vs. Idaho Vandals
The Utes kick off the Scalley era with a bit of a throwback. Idaho hasn’t been on Utah’s schedule since 1993, when the Vandals pulled off a 28-17 win.
But that was a different time, and a different Utah program. The Utes now hold a narrow 14-12-2 all-time edge over Idaho, and they’ve been especially solid at home in the series (10-6-1).
Expect this one to serve as a tone-setter for the season-and a chance to see how Scalley’s team handles the pressure of a season opener with high expectations.
Saturday, September 12 - vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
This is a big one. For just the second time in program history, an SEC team will play at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
And it's not just any SEC team-it’s Arkansas, now led by Ryan Silverfield, who took over in December. That means this will be a first-year head coach vs. first-year head coach showdown.
It’s also the first-ever meeting between the Utes and Razorbacks, giving Utah a chance to make a statement on a national stage early in the season. SEC speed meets Salt Lake City altitude-mark this one on your calendar.
Saturday, September 19 - vs. Utah State Aggies
The "Battle of the Brothers" returns to Salt Lake City, and it comes with a familiar face on the opposing sideline. Bronco Mendenhall, now leading the Aggies, will coach against Utah for the first time since 2012.
The Utes have dominated the series historically (79-30-4) and have won three straight. But with Mendenhall back in the mix, Utah State could bring a new level of physicality and discipline to this rivalry matchup.
Saturday, September 26 - at Iowa State Cyclones
Utah hits the road for the first time in 2026, traveling to Ames to take on Iowa State. It’s been 16 years since the Utes last played at Jack Trice Stadium, and this one also features a battle between first-year head coaches, with Jimmy Rogers now leading the Cyclones.
Historically, Iowa State has had Utah’s number-the Utes are just 1-5 all-time in the series. This game could be a measuring stick for how well Scalley’s team travels and handles adversity early in the Big 12 schedule.
Saturday, October 3 - BYE WEEK
A well-timed breather after four straight games. This bye gives the Utes a chance to regroup before the heart of the conference schedule.
Saturday, October 10 - vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas makes its first trip to Salt Lake City since 1996, and Utah will be looking to extend its win streak over the Jayhawks to four. The Utes pulled off a big win in Lawrence last Thanksgiving weekend, and they now lead the series 3-2. With the altitude and the home crowd on their side, Utah will look to keep momentum rolling coming off the bye.
Saturday, October 17 - at Colorado Buffaloes
The Utes head to Boulder for a rivalry clash with Colorado. Utah snapped a losing streak against the Buffs in 2025 and now holds a 36-33-3 edge in the all-time series.
But this year’s matchup brings some added intrigue-two former Utah players, Isaac Wilson and Jason Stokes Jr., transferred to Colorado this offseason. Expect emotions to run high in this one, both on the field and in the stands.
Saturday, October 24 - vs. Houston Cougars
Houston returns to Salt Lake City for the first time since 1977, and Utah will be looking to flip the script in a series that’s been one-sided. The Utes are 0-5 all-time against the Cougars, including a loss in their most recent meeting in 2024. This could be a pivotal moment in the season-can Utah finally break through against a team that’s had their number?
Saturday, October 31 - at Cincinnati Bearcats
Halloween weekend takes Utah to Nippert Stadium for the first time ever. The Utes and Bearcats only started playing each other in 2025, but Utah came away with a big win in that debut matchup. Now they’ll try to go 2-0 all-time against Cincy in what could be a cold, gritty Big 12 battle in Ohio.
Saturday, November 7 - vs. BYU Cougars
The Holy War returns to Rice-Eccles, and there’s no sugarcoating it-Utah needs this one. The Utes are on a three-game skid against BYU, with the last two losses coming by razor-thin margins (three points in 2025, one point in 2024).
Despite the recent struggles, Utah still leads the storied rivalry 60-34-4. With the game back in Salt Lake and the stakes as high as ever, this could be one of the most emotional matchups of the year.
Saturday, November 14 - vs. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona is back on the schedule after a one-year break, and Utah will be looking to stop a two-game slide against their former Pac-12 foe. The Utes still hold a 26-21-2 series edge, but the Wildcats have had the upper hand lately. This late-season matchup could have serious implications for the Big 12 standings-and for Utah’s postseason hopes.
Saturday, November 21 - at TCU Horned Frogs
Utah heads back to Fort Worth for the first time since 2009 to face a familiar Mountain West rival. The Utes are on a three-game losing streak to the Horned Frogs, dating back to that 2009 meeting, but they still lead the all-time series 5-4. This game could be a slugfest-two physical teams, late in the season, with a lot on the line.
TBD - vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers make their first-ever trip to Salt Lake City in 2026, following last year’s inaugural meeting in Morgantown. Utah has a perfect 3-0 record against WVU, including a pair of bowl wins.
This game also marks the return of Rich Rodriguez to Rice-Eccles, where he last coached in 2016 while at Arizona. Expect a high-energy atmosphere as the Utes try to stay perfect in the series.
Friday, December 4 - Big 12 Championship Game (Dallas, TX)
The Utes came close to punching their ticket to Dallas last year, but the final pieces didn’t fall into place. This year, with a new head coach and a loaded schedule, the goal is clear: finish strong, win the right games, and earn a shot at the Big 12 crown under the Friday night lights.
Final Thoughts
Morgan Scalley’s first season as Utah’s head coach is packed with storylines-old rivalries, new opponents, and a chance to make an immediate impact in the Big 12. With seven home games, including marquee matchups against Arkansas, BYU, and Utah State, the Utes have a golden opportunity to build momentum early and ride it deep into November.
The road won’t be easy, but it’s full of opportunity. And with a passionate fanbase, a battle-tested roster, and a new leader on the sidelines, Utah is ready to write the next chapter.