The Utah Utes’ And BYU Cougars’ Road To Both Be Undefeated For Matchup In November
Sep 27, 2024, 8:16 PM | Updated: Sep 28, 2024, 4:10 pm
The new scoreboard in the north endzone at LaVell Edwards Stadium prior to Utah/BYU. (Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
(Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH- Whether you are a Utah Ute or a BYU Cougar, it was a spectacular football Saturday last week as both BYU and Utah defeated top-15 opponents to remain undefeated, solidifying national acclaim, and setting expectations for what could be one of the college football games of the year as two of the Beehive State’s premiere programs clash at Rice–Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, November 9.
Week 5 of the 2024 college football season will be the first time that BYU and Utah both earned rankings in the AP Top 25 since October 8, 2022. The Utah Utes rose two spots from #12 to #10, while the BYU Cougars broke their way into the national rankings for the first time this year, landing at #22. This is the first 4-0 start for the Cougars since 2021, while the Utes enjoy an undefeated record through four weeks for the second year in a row.
Top 🔟‼️#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/tjONFmxDdK
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 22, 2024
How we feeling today Cougar Nation!? pic.twitter.com/xFVZqtuYNi
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 22, 2024
With both teams on the rise, and atop the Big 12 standings, anticipation is building for what will be the first matchup between the rivals since 2021, and BYU and Utah’s first game as conference opponents since 2012, when they were both members of the Mountain West Conference.
#Big12FB @SeatGeek Standings: September 2️⃣2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/0Gb8GCjGfG
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 22, 2024
Big 12 Openers For The Utes And Cougars
BYU Cougars Versus Kansas State Wildcats
Two great results came to open conference play in the Big 12 for both BYU and Utah, both matching up with and taking down formidable opponents.
It was a battle of the cats in Provo as the Cougars took on the Wildcats of Kansas State. BYU took control of this game in the blink of an eye, scoring 31 points in only 6:25 game minutes. The blitz consisted of a field goal, two Jake Retzlaff touchdown passes, a Kansas State fumble resulting in a scoop-and-score, and a wild 90-yard punt return for a touchdown by Parker Kingston, earning him Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week.
Week 4⃣ #Big12FB @totinos Special Teams Player of the Week
Parker Kingston | @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/eBc8K1K0jm
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 23, 2024
Just as impressive as the 38-point explosion was BYU’s defense only holding Kansas State to three field goals and forcing three turnovers. The final score from LaVell Edwards Stadium reflected a BYU blowout. Cougars 38, Wildcats 9.
4-0. pic.twitter.com/Bck2RbASrM
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 22, 2024
Utah Utes Versus Oklahoma State Cowboys
The story for the Utes was a little different, having to travel eastward to Stillwater, Oklahoma. Cam Rising was a game-time decision, but was ultimately unable to go. This meant that freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson would make his second career start away against a top-15 opponent.
Things got rolling slowly for both the Utes and the Cowboys, with the only points in the first quarter coming from an Oklahoma State field goal. Cole Becker and Brant Kuithe added ten points to the box score before the half, giving Utah a 10-3 lead.
In the second half, the Utes built a slow-burning lead assisted by a staunch defensive stand, only allowing Oklahoma State 285 yards of total offense. Utah extended their lead to 22-3 with 6:21 remaining in the game, but the fire wasn’t put out yet. The Cowboys would go on to score 16 points in the final six minutes, coming up just short on their comeback attempt. Utah 22, Oklahoma State 19.
UTES WIN!!!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/7x2T9AHQrB
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 21, 2024
One of the stars of the game was Micah Bernard, who carried the rock 25 times for 182 yards, which ended up being 40% of Utah’s total offense.
MICAH.
BERNARD.
GROWN.
MAN.
😤#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/xuy68EQtSZ— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 21, 2024
43 Days Until Utah Utes v. BYU Cougars
With just over a month to go until the Cougars and Utes meet, let’s take a look ahead to each team’s four remaining games between now and November 9, and what the matchup could mean locally and for college football if both squads were undefeated.
BYU’s Next Four Games
BYU @ Baylor, Saturday, Sep. 28, 10:00 a.m. MT.
On Saturday, BYU will head to Waco, Texas to take on the Baylor Bears. So far this season, the Bears are 2-2. Their two wins were blowout victories over Tarleton State and Air Force, both at home. Both of Baylor’s losses came on the road. The first was a 23-12 defeat to Utah, in which the Ute defense shut the Bears down, only mustering 223 yards of offense. The second loss came last week in Boulder, Colorado where the Buffaloes forced overtime on a last-second Shedeur Sanders hail mary. Travis Hunter then forced a fumble at the goal line, confirming a heart-breaking loss for Baylor. The battle between the Cougars and the Bears will be an early morning affair as one of twelve games to kick off at 10:00 a.m. MT. BYU’s last matchup with Baylor was a thrilling 26-20 overtime win for the Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Baylor is favored by three on Saturday, with ESPN’s matchup predictor giving BYU a 51.9% chance to get the win in Waco.
tomorrow we ball.
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 28, 2024
BYU vs Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 12, TBD.
Following a bye week, BYU will welcome the Arizona Wildcats to Provo. The last time these two teams met was at LaVell Edwards Stadium in 2021, where the Cougars secured a 24-16 victory. The Wildcats have not lived up to early expectations after coming in at #21 in the preseason poll. Arizona is 2-1 on the year, with a 22-point win against New Mexico and a 12-point comeback victory against FCS Northern Arizona, unimpressive to say the least. Arizona got worked by Kansas State in their first loss of 2024, 34-7. Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita has had a stale start in his first three games, throwing five touchdowns, but also three interceptions. The Wildcats had a week to rest and will now take on #10 Utah in Salt Lake on Saturday. They will also play Texas Tech the week before matching up with BYU.
As of right now, ESPN’s matchup predictor gives BYU a 75% chance to win.
BYU vs Oklahoma State, Friday, Oct. 18, 8:15 p.m. MT.
In a feature of Big 12 After Dark, the Cowboys and Cougars will play things out in front of a rocking crowd of Cougar faithful in Provo. October 18 will be only the fourth installment of BYU vs OSU, with Oklahoma State having won the previous three games. The most recent affair was last year in BYU’s inaugural Big 12 football season. The Cougs put up a fight in Stillwater, losing a shootout 40-34. Oklahoma State has only one loss on the year, coming at the hands of the Utes last week. Before falling to Utah, Oklahoma State started the season undefeated with wins over South Dakota State, Arkansas, and Tulsa. OSU has been ranked as high as #13 but currently sits at #20 after last week’s loss. Regardless of their record going into their battle with BYU, the Cougars will have their heads full with a very talented and experienced Cowboys squad. Oklahoma State will play Kansas State and West Virginia ahead of BYU.
Today, ESPN’s matchup predictor is favoring OSU with the slight upper hand, giving BYU a 42.7% chance to come away with a victory.
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BYU @ UCF, Saturday, Oct. 26, TBD.
The Cougars will have to travel 2,320 miles all the way to Orlando, Florida to take on the UCF Knights. BYU will have a few things stacked against them in this matchup, including the crossing of time zones and the prolific UCF offense. The Cougars and Knights will play for the third time ever, the last meeting being a dominant 49-23 BYU win in 2020. In 2024, UCF is undefeated through three games. Their victories have come against New Hampshire, Sam Houston, and TCU with an average margin of victory of nearly 29 points. Running back RJ Harvey has rushed for eight touchdowns so far and quarterback KJ Jefferson has only thrown one interception with five TDs. The Knights will certainly be a barometer game for the Cougars and could be the difference between being undefeated or not against Utah.
At this moment, ESPN’s matchup predictor is only giving BYU a 26% chance of leaving Orlando with a W.
Utah’s Next Four Games
Utah vs Arizona, Saturday, Sep. 28, 8:15 p.m. MT.
These former Pac-12 foes will face off in a late-night showdown, with the Utes wearing their blackout uniforms. The Utes and Wildcats have plenty of history, with Arizona commanding last year’s matchup 42-28. The Wildcats have not lived up to early expectations after coming in at #21 in the preseason poll. Arizona is 2-1 on the year, with a 22-point win against New Mexico and a 12-point comeback win against FCS Northern Arizona, unimpressive to say the least. Arizona got worked by Kansas State in their first loss of 2024, taking a 34-7 loss. Arizona quarterback has had a stale start in his first three games, throwing five touchdowns, but also three interceptions. Arizona will be fresh as they take on Utah following a bye week.
The Utes are favored by 9.5 and the ESPN matchup predictor is giving the home team a 77.3% chance to win.
𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝟓 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 ⚫️⚫️⚫️
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) September 25, 2024
Utah @ Arizona State, Friday, Oct. 11, 8:30 p.m. MT.
The Utes will have a double dip against Arizona’s two flagship football programs, traveling to Tempe for a matchup with the Sun Devils. Arizona State had an exciting start to their season with three consecutive wins against Wyoming, Mississippi State, and Texas State, scoring 30 points or more in each win. Their first loss came in Lubbock to Texas Tech 30-22. While the ASU offense has been effective, it hasn’t been through the air. Sam Leavitt only has three touchdown passes this year and two interceptions, while Cam Skattebo leads the team in scores with five rushing touchdowns. Historically, the Utes have not played well against the Sun Devils, having lost 22 of the 34 matchups between the two teams. However, last November it was all Utah in a 55-3 trouncing. Arizona State will welcome Kansas before facing Utah.
Despite the road game, ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Utes a 65.3% chance to come away victorious.
Utah vs TCU, Saturday, Oct. 19, TBD.
Since their National Championship appearance in 2023, the Horned Frogs have not been able to repeat their run. In last year’s campaign, TCU finished 5-7, limping into a 2-2 start to this season. Their two wins came in the first two weeks against Stanford and Long Island, but have since dropped two consecutive games, a 1-point loss to UCF and a blowout 66-42 defeat to SMU. Josh Hoover and the offense have done their part with 20 touchdowns already through four games. However, the defense has shown holes, allowing 32 points and 327 yards per game. The Horned Frogs and the Utes have not clashed since 2010 when they were both members of the Mountain West Conference. That game ended in a 47-7 victory for TCU with Andy Dalton throwing for 355 yards and three touchdowns.
According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, Utah should have no problem taking care of TCU, with a 68.8% chance to win.
Utah @ Houston, Saturday, Oct. 26, TBD.
Houston has been on the wrong end of more games than not through their first four weeks. In the first two weeks, the Cougars lost to UNLV at home and then to Oklahoma in Norman. They secured their first victory with a big win against Rice, only to get shut out 34-0 by Cincinnati the following week. Houston will likely find themselves toward the bottom of the Big 12 standings at the end of the year. Donovan Smith has thrown twice as many interceptions as touchdowns, and the offense as a whole has only scored 52 points in four games. Utah has never beaten Houston in their four previous battles. October 26 will be the first Utah Utes vs Houston Cougars football game since 1978.
Utah will once again be heavy favorites with ESPN’s matchup predictor showing that Utah has an 80.7% chance to take the W.
What This Means for Utah v. BYU
The Utah Utes do have the more favorable schedule in their four games ahead of the clash in Salt Lake, with their opponents having a combined record of 8-7 so far, while BYU’s opponents have a combined record of 10-4. Both teams will have two weeks of preparation before the highly anticipated showdown on November 9, giving the Utes and Cougars ample opportunity to get healthy and nail down their game plans, making for another exciting addition to this storied rivalry.
The Utes and Cougars have played mostly during the non-conference portion of the schedule over the last decade, meaning each team had only played a game or two before their duel. Now with both programs in the Big 12, a ranked matchup between Utah and BYU toward the end of the year would not only have conference implications but also College Football Playoff implications, meaning that if both teams are able to take care of business in their next four games, the 2024 addition of Utah vs BYU could be the most impactful and important in history.
A ranked and/or undefeated matchup between BYU and Utah could also bring the likes of Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, and College Gameday to town. The last time BYU was part of a Gameday clash was in 2020 when they took on Coastal Carolina, and for Utah, it was in 2023 when they faced Oregon. College Gameday has been in town for one Utah vs BYU game. It was in 2004 in Salt Lake City, where #6 Utah rolled BYU 52-21.
The boys are BACK 🙌 pic.twitter.com/3trskSIfEf
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) July 24, 2024
We will just have to wait and see if the stars will align for a weekend to remember in November, but in any case, a matchup between the Utes and Cougars is always sure to be electric.
