The 2026 Big 12 football schedule is out, and for Utah, the road ahead is officially mapped. After an impressive 11-2 finish last season - including a 7-2 record in conference play - the Utes enter year three in the Big 12 with a new head coach, a familiar set of rivals, and a few intriguing twists on the calendar.
Let’s break it down.
A New Era Begins with a Favorable Start
Morgan Scalley steps into the head coach role this fall, and the schedule gives him a solid runway to get things rolling. Utah opens the season with three straight home games at Rice-Eccles Stadium - a luxury in college football scheduling.
The season kicks off on Sept. 3 against Idaho, followed by a marquee non-conference matchup on Sept. 12 when Arkansas comes to town. That SEC showdown will be a major early test and a chance for Utah to make a national statement.
The homestand wraps up on Sept. 19 with an in-state clash against Utah State, a rivalry game that always brings extra juice no matter the records.
Conference Play: No Texas Tech, No Arizona State
One of the quirks of the 2026 slate? Utah avoids both Texas Tech, the reigning Big 12 champs, and Arizona State - a team many expected to be a regular fixture on Utah’s schedule due to geography and history. That’s a notable break in what’s shaping up to be a deep, competitive Big 12.
The Utes open conference play on the road at Iowa State on Sept. 26, then take a breather with a bye week on Oct. 3 - well-timed before a stretch of six straight conference games.
Key Matchups and Road Challenges
The Utes return home to face Kansas on Oct. 10, then head to Boulder for a road tilt with Colorado on Oct. 17.
That’s followed by a visit from Houston on Oct. 24, and then a Halloween weekend trip to face Cincinnati on Oct. 31.
But the real headliner comes the following week.
Rivalry Game Returns - But Still Not in Rivalry Week
Circle Nov. 7.
That’s when BYU comes to Salt Lake City. The Cougars are fresh off their first appearance in the Big 12 title game, and the stakes for this rivalry have never been higher.
While the game still isn’t in the traditional season-ending slot - something that’s been consistent since Utah joined the Big 12 - it’s hard to argue it won’t feel like the centerpiece of the regular season.
From there, Utah wraps up the regular season with a tough three-game stretch: at Arizona on Nov. 14, at TCU on Nov. 21, and back home to host West Virginia on Nov. 28.
Eyes on Arlington
Should Utah once again find itself in the Big 12 title hunt, the Big 12 Championship Game awaits on Dec. 4 in Arlington, Texas. With no Texas Tech on the schedule and a manageable early slate, there’s a real path back to contention - but it’ll take navigating some tricky road games and taking care of business at home, especially in that November gauntlet.
Utah’s 2026 Football Schedule
- Sept. 3 - vs. Idaho
- Sept. 12 - vs. Arkansas
- Sept. 19 - vs. Utah State
- Sept. 26 - at Iowa State
- **Oct.
3** - BYE
- Oct. 10 - vs.
Kansas
- Oct. 17 - at Colorado
- Oct. 24 - vs. Houston
- Oct. 31 - at Cincinnati
- Nov. 7 - vs.
BYU
- Nov. 14 - at Arizona
- Nov. 21 - at TCU
- Nov. 28 - vs.
West Virginia
- **Dec.
4** - Big 12 Championship Game (Arlington, Texas)
Bottom line: There’s a lot to like about Utah’s 2026 schedule. It sets up for a strong start, features a must-watch rivalry game in early November, and avoids a couple of the conference’s top threats. If Morgan Scalley can keep the momentum going in his first year at the helm, the Utes could be right back in the Big 12 title conversation come December.