The No. 7 BYU Cougars head to Salt Lake City this week for the 104th Holy War rivalry game vs Utah. Never before has the Holy War game included top 10 rankings for both participants. Considering BYU’s unexpected loss to UCF and the anticipation surrounding this Holy War game, it could make for an instant classic.

Every year college football debates the best rivalries. In 2026, there is no debate. No other rivalry in the sport will mean as much this year as the Holy War. There are always bragging rights at stake. This year there is much more than that.

Short of a pesky Texas Tech team, the Big 12 title game should come down to the two Utah teams. For BYU to reach the expectations to begin the season, the Holy War is a must-win scenario. If Tech stumbles, BYU could potentially make an argument to make the Playoff with two losses, but it would be tough sledding. If BYU wins on Saturday, it would knock Utah down and create a three-way tie at the top of the conference.

Star running back LJ Martin is currently expected to be a game-time decision. If the Cougars could get their lead back for this game, it could dramatically change the game plan. If BYU can beat Utah, it should clear a path to the conference title game. Win the Big 12 and BYU would enjoy a first round bye in the College Football Playoff.

BYU and Utah have a rivalry well over a century old. Over the last 50 years, the Cougars have seven names that stand out more than all the others. This list is not a list of the best Cougars of all time or a look at a complete body of work. This is simply a look at the best Holy War moments of the last half century.

Quarterback Marc Wilson played for the Cougars from 1977 to 1979. Both 77 and 79 were impressive seasons where Wilson led the WAC in almost every quarterback metric. Including completions, completion percentage, yards, touchdowns, yards per attempt and yards per game.

In 1977, Wilson had a record-setting Holy War game. His 571 yards set an NCAA single-game record. That game remains the largest passing yards total in Holy War history. Coach LaVell Edwards opted to put Wilson back in late in the 4th quarter while BYU was up big, to go for the single-game record. That decision advanced the rivalry to something more than two Utah teams playing each other.

“The hatred between BYU and Utah is nothing compared to what it will be,” Utah head coach Wayne Howard said. “It will be a crusade to beat BYU from now on.”

Before Jim McMahon won the Bears their only Super Bowl, he put together a 1980 season that Cougars fans will never forget. In that season, McMahon threw for 4.571 yards and 47 touchdowns while averaging almost 400 yards per game. In the 1980 Holy War, McMahon threw for 565 yards and four touchdowns. Leading to the largest margin of victory in the rivalry, beating Utah 56-28

McMahon’s final season was Steve Young’s first in Provo. In his two seasons as a starter, Young put up over 7,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. He was also the measure of accuracy, completing over 70% of his passes and averaging over 350 yards per game. In 1983, Young put on a passing clinic.

In the 1983 game, Young completed 88 percent of his passes. The yards he threw did not exceed 300, but his mastery of the high-flying offense was pristine. Included in that performance was a 46-yard touchdown pass to Adam Haysbert. All tolled, Young contributed to six BYU touchdowns that day and defeated Utah 55-7.

On Saturday, November 7, BYU will travel to Salt Lake City for the 104th meeting between these two programs.