The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a thrilling one for the state of Utah, with both BYU and Utah poised to make serious noise in the Big 12. Following top-15 finishes in the 2025 season, the Cougars and Utes are generating significant buzz in post-spring top-25 rankings from major national outlets like CBS Sports, USA Today, and ESPN.
BYU capped off a standout 12-2 campaign by reaching the Big 12 championship game for the first time, earning a No. 11 final ranking in the Associated Press poll. The Cougars have retained head coach Kalani Sitake, and despite some staff turnover—including a couple of assistants heading to Michigan with now-Wolverines coach Kyle Whittingham—the program looks primed for another run at conference supremacy. CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello notes that BYU's veteran roster should thrive in the new era, though the departure of three top receivers from last season could create early growing pains. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier returns after a breakout year, and the offense may lean more on tight ends and 12 personnel. On defense, Kelly Poppinga takes over as coordinator, with few scheme changes expected.
Utah, meanwhile, is navigating a period of transition. The Utes went 11-2 and won the Las Vegas Bowl, finishing No. 15 in the final AP poll. But the offseason brought major changes: longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham resigned and took the Michigan job, bringing several assistants and players with him. First-year head coach Morgan Scalley, who had been the "coach in waiting," has stepped up and managed to retain key talent, most notably keeping quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin in the fold. Marcello describes the Utes' offense as "a work in progress" with Dampier returning under a new offensive coordinator, and notes that the entire program is in a transition year. Still, with Scalley's defensive expertise and a solid foundation, Utah is expected to remain competitive in the Big 12 race.
With both teams featuring experienced rosters and reshaped coaching staffs, the stage is set for an intense in-state rivalry that could have major conference implications. As the season approaches, fans can expect plenty of excitement—and maybe a few surprises—from these two programs.