Rivalry is part of what makes college football great. There are a lot of them in the game, but the best ones have unique names associated with the actual games. The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is so grand that it has been called "The Game". Alabama and Auburn certainly have the Iron Bowl, and (unofficially) the largest outdoor cocktail party in the world between Florida and Georgia.
But the rivalry with the best name takes place in Utah. That's where they play The Holy War, and this week's edition between BYU and No. 21 Utah will be played in one of the most beautiful settings in college football: LaValle Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.
It's actually one of the best rivalries in the sport, even though it doesn't carry as much weight at the national level as I mentioned. It has everything that makes a rivalry great. These are two proud schools with rich football traditions that are separated by about an hour's drive in either direction. While they are no longer in the same convention, they were for a long time, and the religious aspect behind the name adds another layer.
It's a great game, and it's the perfect way to end your college football on a Saturday.
BYU vs. Utah: Everything you need to know
Utah has won nine straight in the series: The rivalry has always been fierce, but it has also been incredibly awkward. Utah holds an all-time lead over the Cougars with a mark of 59-31-4, but that doesn't tell the whole story. From 1922 to 1964, Utah won 35 of the game's 40 meetings. In that period BYU won only once (a 12–7 win in 1942) and was tied four times. But then BYU captured the series from 1972 to 1992, winning 19 of 21 meetings. Utah has since received the best Cougars and came out victorious of nine straight in Saturday's meeting, which includes the last four meetings in Provo.
Very familiar: This is another aspect of this rivalry that makes it so great. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has been in Utah as head coach or assistant every season since 1994, but he went to school and played linebacker at BYU. His first two years as a coach were also at BYU. Then there is BYU coach Kilani Sitke, who played fullback at BYU. Whittingham and Sitke have a lot in common, and that's probably what drew them together when Saitake spent 10 seasons as assistant in Utah under Whittingham, including the final three seasons as assistant head coach. If that's not enough, three other members of Sitke's staff at BYU have coached in Utah.
BYU has a lot to change: The Cougars had an incredible 2020 season, going 11-1 at the Boca Raton Bowl beating UCF. If you watched BYU last year, it's going to look a lot different this week. The biggest difference is that Zach Wilson is no longer around. He is engaged as a starting QB for the New York Jets after being taken with the second pick of the NFL Draft. Last year's offensive coordinator, Jeff Grimes, is gone after taking the same position at Baylor. So don't be surprised if the Cougars don't look as explosive as they did last season.
How to watch BYU vs. Utah live
Date: Saturday, September 11 | Time: 10:15 p.m. ET
Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium -- Provo, Utah
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)