Utah and BYU do not agree on much. Besides not liking each other.

Some of it is the result of highly contested matchups and the nature of competition. The battle of red vs blue has been as contested as any rivalry in the nation.

In a rivalry world that includes Ohio State and Michigan, Notre Dame and Navy, or even Texas vs Oklahoma, the Holy War remains one of the most consistent and contentious rivalries in the sport. Here are seven Utah factors to remember before the Holy War.

In the history between Utah and BYU, one might think there would be no crossover. Utah players and BYU players might not mix. However, six players have defected from BYU to join Utah. One of those players has an argument that could be made that he deserves a statue on the Utah campus.

Longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham is the most noteworthy example of a player leaving BYU for Utah. In Whittingham’s case, the departure came after his playing career was over. Whittingham has an 11-6 record over BYU in his time as the Utah head coach.

In addition to Whittingham, Utah has five additional players who left Provo for Salt Lake City. Francis Bernard, Devin Kaufusi, Skyler Southam and most recently John Henry Daley and Logan Fano, who followed his future NFL first round draft pick brother Spencer Fano to Utah after starting his playing career at BYU.

There are two ways outsiders view the Holy War. A big game between two very largely influenced LDS schools or the religiously driven vs the heathens. While BYU is almost completely attended by Mormons, Utah still maintains a 70% enrollment rate by members of the LDS Church.

The faith-based dynamic was made very interesting in 2015 when two programs did not schedule games against each other. At the conclusion of that regular season, BYU accepted an invite to the Las Vegas Bowl. They knew they’d face a Pac-12 opponent, but they didn’t know it would be Utah. Despite a less than stellar season, Utah won the Holy War in Sin City. Before that game, Utah punter Tom Hackett would throw fuel on the fire.

“I’m lucky enough to be one of the many players on the football team that has never actually lost to these bastards. Which leads me to say, it’s Utah’s world and BYU is just living in it.”

While a baseball game in the 1890s might have begun the dislike between these two programs, it was a quote in 1977 that likely advanced the hatred. In that game, BYU coach LaVell Edwards decided to put quarterback Marc Wilson back into the game. He had already led significantly. Just so Wilson could break the then all-time single-game passing record at Utah’s expense. BYU won that game 38-8, but Utes head coach Wayne Howard let it be known, this rivalry would be forever changed.

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

Kyle Whittingham has a very favorable record vs BYU. He was a staple for the Utes for 20 years. When asked about the Utah vs BYU rivalry, he decided to put the Holy War into context with some of the other big rivalries in the sport. Even if there was an east coast bias at the time.

“We don’t get the national exposure that some others do. But as far as in-state pride an just sheer passion, it’s second to nobody.”

Steve Smith was a great player who maybe reached his peak after his time at Utah. In 1999, the trash-talking receiver threw a jab that no football player could counter. Not even the players of BYU. In the 4th quarter of the 1999 game, a BYU spectator came from out of the stands to attack a Utah cheerleader. Only moments later, the Utah cheerleader could be seen pummeling the BYU fan. Steve Smith saw an opportunity and took it.

“Even our cheerleaders are kicking your butt.”

After the 2024 Holy War game, Utah athletic director Mark Harlan was not scheduled to speak to the media. Utah had a game-winning sack erased by a holding call. BYU would go onto win that game by one point. A furious Harlan crashed the press conference and gave a scathing quote that will not soon be forgotten.

“I’ve been an athletic director for 12 years. This game was absolutely stolen from us. We were excited about being in the Big 12, but tonight I am not. We won this game. Someone else stole it from us. I am disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew tonight.”

He later apologized for his action and paid a stiff fine.

Morgan Scalley was a player for Utah more than twenty years before he would take over as the program’s head coach. As a senior on the 2004 Utes team, Scalley gave his thoughts on BYU. As we prepare for the 2026 installment of the Holy War, this quote might be the most important to remember. Even if he’s not likely to go this bad on Saturday.

“I hate those f---ing pricks! I hate them with a passion.”

The Utes welcome BYU to Salt Lake City for the 104th Holy War game. The game will air at Noon ET on ABC.