BYU vs. Utah live updates: No. 3 Utes meet No. 9 Cougars with Big 12 title, CFP implications

BYU and Utah's staffs are deeply intertwined. After playing for LaVell Edwards at Utah, Kalani Sitake came to Utah as an assistant coach under Kyle Whittingham from 2005-14. Offensive coordinators Aaron Roderick (BYU) and Kevin McGiven (Utah) also had stretches at the other school, while Utah defensive coordinator Colton Swan coached under former BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill at Weber State. 

The rivalry game has long been defined by great coaches, and Scalley has a chance to add his name to the list. Sitake helped break a lengthy Whittingham win streak in 2021. Can Scalley pull control back? 

Flying under the radar as a playoff contender, No. 12 Utah (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) enters Saturday's matchup against Kansas (2-2, 0-1) with a 10-game winning streak and eyeing its first 5-0 start since 2015. Statistically, the Utes present a compelling case as an elite contender. They have led by at least 20 points at halftime in every game this season -- a feat matched over the last decade only by CFP semifinalists Ohio State in 2019 and Texas in 2024.

The success comes from a system built around a pair of dual-threat quarterbacks deployed simultaneously, seamlessly swapping roles across skill positions—from quarterback to backfield to receiver, in the slot and out wide. It's not the Wildcat formation or a gimmick trick play that so many others run. Utah uses it so often that it's just another play in its script.

It takes two: Utah's dual-QB attack is college football's most creative offense and a DC's worst nightmare

Brandon Marcello

BYU running back LJ Martin is expected to return and start for the Cougars in their game against Utah, according to ESPN, depending on how he feels going through warmups. Martin, perhaps the best individual talent on the Cougars' roster, has missed the last four games with an ankle injury. 

Martin ranked among the best all-purpose weapons in college football last weekend, rushing for 1,305 yards, receiving 255 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. He was off to a blazing start to 2026, averaging 7.8 yards per carry before his injury. Without Martin in the lineup, BYU's running backs are combining to average only 56.5 yards per game. 

In a rough-and-tumble rivalry matchup against Utah in 2025, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier faced the biggest test of his young college career. His years of training had led to this moment, a physical game on a national stage.

With the game tight in the fourth quarter, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick put the ball -- and the outcome -- in his quarterback's hands, calling a quarterback draw through the heart of the Utah defense.

For a moment, Bachmeier was back in the long hallway of his childhood home, playing indoor football against his older brothers. Bear was always the smallest, but never afraid to take a hit. Picture frames fell, carpets wore thin, but he kept pushing forward.

"It's just a mentality," Bachmeier said.

Forged in 'organized chaos,' BYU QB Bear Bachmeier prepares to take college football's biggest stage

Shehan Jeyarajah