#23 Utah vs. #15 BYU Picks and Predictions: The Holy War

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Devon Dampier and Utah host Cincinnati this Saturday Night - Cincinnati Utah Picks

The historic Holy War happens in Provo this weekend and it involves two ranked teams. The No. 15 BYU Cougars host the No. 23 Utah Utes for an in-state rivalry. The teams have a combined 11-1 record, as the hosts are a perfect 6-0 to start the season, but who have they really played? On the other sideline, Utah has one blemish to a very good Texas Tech team, but other than that, they really haven’t been tested either. Let’s get into our favorite picks to see what’s going on in this game.

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#23 Utah Utes vs. #15 BYU Cougars NCAA Football Insights

Let’s just look at both team’s performances so far this year. Utah beat UCLA on the road, Cal Poly at home, won at Wyoming and West Virginia while beating Arizona State at home. However they do have a bad loss to Texas Tech at home. Now, the Red Raiders are a top 10 team in the nation, and will likely waltz their way to a Big 12 Championship, but not if BYU has anything to do with it.

The Cougars are 6-0 for the second straight season, and although their wins have been hard fought, how good are they? Beating Portland State, Stanford and West Virginia at home doesn’t really get me going, and neither does pulling off wins against East Carolina, Colorado and Arizona in double OT on the road. Can they come prepared for this rivalry game?

Matchup Information – Utah vs. BYU – October 18

  • Venue & Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium (Provo, UT)
  • Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
  • Kick Off: 8:00 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: FOX

Utah vs. BYU Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of October 17, 2025 at 9:48 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus. BetOnline offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Utah -3 (-120)
  • BYU +3 (+100)

Moneyline

  • Utah -176
  • BYU +154

Total

  • Over 49 (-115)
  • Under 49 (-105)

The Utes are a covering machine, going 5-1 ATS as a favorite in every single game. And again, even on the road, they are favored against the higher ranked, undefeated BYU Cougars. The hosts are 4-2 against the spread but have yet to take the field as an underdog this season. Can they adapt to that mindset while trying to remain perfect?

#23 Utah vs. #15 BYU NCAA Football Picks and Predictions

LJ Martin and BYU should be favored in this matchup - Utah BYU Picks

LJ Martin and BYU should be favored in this matchup

Utah vs. BYU Prediction: BYU Wins Outright, Under 49.5

Best Bet: BYU +3 (+100) BetOnline

Make sure you get a full field goal, see if you can find the hook somewhere, or double down and take the ML with me as well. BYU wins outright, the wrong team is favored. The home dog (or cougar) will be barking.

Utah’s offense excels when Devon Dampier is able to use his legs. If he is a rushing threat, defenses have to pay extra attention to him, taking guys out of coverage, which opens things up in the passing game. The problem is, if teams can stop the run and force him to throw, he isn’t the best passer. He leads the team in rushing yards and carries, but if anyone knows how to contain a mobile quarterback, it’s BYU.

They deal with it everyday in practice with Bear Bachmeier running the show. The Cougars will have multiple spies and various blitz packages in order to disrupt Dampier. My guess would be BYU forces him to beat them with his arm, which will be tough to do. I see them being able to score in bunches, daring the visiting Utes to try and keep up.

Give me a BYU outright victory on Saturday night.

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