College Football: 20 best rivalry games to watch in 2018

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

5 of 21

PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 9: Cody Barton #30 of the Utah Utes pressures quarterback Tanner Mangum #12 of the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

17. BYU vs. Utah

Religion is put on display each year for BYU/Utah. They call it the “Holy War” for a reason. This game got its name due to the fact that while both schools are very religious, only BYU is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, even though Utah is a public university, many are LDS members.

While outside forces such as conference realignment have conspired to keep these two schools from meeting, the Cougars and Utes continue to put each other on their schedules. Even with Utah now in the Pac-12 and BYU an independent, the two teams are book to play each other until 2020, when another agreement might need to be finalized.

The game has provided great college football over the years. One of the more recent great games came in 2009. In the second overtime game in series history, BYU held a 20–6 lead entering the fourth quarter. Utah scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Utah kicked a field goal to take a 23–20 lead, but on BYU’s possession, quarterback Max Hall connected with tight end Andrew George for a 25-yard touchdown and the Cougars won 26-23. The game was dubbed “George is still running” by BYU fans.

Just two short years ago, with both teams now in different conferences, they met in the Las Vegas Bowl. It marked the first time both had played each other in a bowl game. The game quickly turned into a snoozer. Less than eight minutes passed before Utah took a commanding 35–0 lead, setting a Las Vegas Bowl record for points in the first quarter. All five touchdowns came off of BYU turnovers. However, the Cougars stormed back. BYU scored 28 unanswered points, but fell 35-28.

Last year was a narrow 19-13 win by Utah, their seventh consecutive in the series. BYU will be looking to return the balance of power back over to Salt Lake City. The Holy War will be a rivalry game worth checking out in 2018.