I hadn’t realized this year will be the 100th game between BYU and Utah. That adds a bit more historical significance to this meeting — beyond the typical trash talk and hatred. BYU hasn’t lost nine straight to Utah since the years preceding WWII. Utah did a lot of their damage in the all-time series record in the earlier years of the rivalry, as well as the 2010’s.

BYU Holy War record by decade:
1890’s: 3-3
1920’s: 0-7-1
1930’s: 0-9-1
1940’s: 1-5-1
1950’s: 1-8-1
1960’s: 3-7
1970’s: 7-3
1980’s: 9-1
1990’s: 5-5
2000’s: 5-5
2010’s: 0-8

Last ~30 games results:


Close games are a signature of the rivalry. During Utah’s current 8 game streak, only one win came by more than one score back in 2011. BYU hasn’t beaten Utah by more than one score since 1996. Anyone hoping for a “beat down” by either team will likely be disappointed.
Utah up 35-0 in the first? Ends in one score game. BYU up 27-7 in the third? Ends in one score game.

Looking at results only, one could think the current streak is based solely on PAC12 vs Independence talent gaps; NFL draft statistics would also support this notion. But as one of many who has studied each game this decade, the mental edge achieved by Kyle Whittingham-led Utah has been an equal factor to talent difference. What will take to overcome that?