A week before the state’s two largest universities renew their gridiron rivalry, the leaders of the University of Utah and Brigham Young University (BYU) are teaming up to launch a new era in their decades-long football competition. Officially deemed “Rival Right,” the initiative marks a fresh start for both schools as they begin a brand-new series of matchups in the expanded Big 12 Conference.

The ongoing rivalry between BYU and the U, which began in 1922, is known for its high intensity. However, the schools’ leaders are committed to encouraging fans and players to choose better ways to express their school spirit.

“We are all passionate fans,” said U President Taylor Randall. “Our rivalry is one of the great traditions in college sports, and it’s built on mutual respect and a shared love of the game. I encourage fans of both teams to cheer passionately, support your team and show the nation what true sportsmanship looks like.”

BYU President Shane Reese echoed a similar sentiment. “I bleed blue, no doubt, but as we cheer for our Cougars, we must understand what it means to be a good fan—showing respect and courtesy for our opponents, especially our friends at the University of Utah.”

Marked on calendars in Cougar and Ute households across the state and beyond, the highly anticipated blue and red game is scheduled for Nov. 9. Before then, fans are invited to come together in kicking off the new Rival Right tradition throughout the week leading up to the game.

The U is hosting a series of extracurricular competitions on campus before the Nov. 9 football game that will include arm-wrestling and skateboarding contests at Friday Night Hype on Nov. 1, the launch of a new concert series, powderpuff football on Nov. 7 and a joint service project the day before the football game on Nov. 8. Designed to promote healthy competition and collaboration between the two campuses, the events are being organized by the U’s Prosperity U and Interfaith Initiative.

The schools are also collaborating on a food drive themed “Tackling Hunger Together.” The collection effort of non-perishable food and monetary donations starts on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, and continues through Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at Friendsgiving on the U campus.

"I’ve been involved in the Utah Food Bank for 30 years, and I remember when this food drive was happening years and years ago, and it was awesome. And I know this one is going to be the same,” said Ginette Bott, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Utah Food Bank. “This week, let’s work together. Let’s fight that hunger issue. Let’s do it as friends. Let’s do it as family.”

A longstanding tradition, the food drive is organized by the U’s Student Alumni Board and will ask students, alumni and community members to donate to the Utah Food Bank.

Finally, while collegiate rivalry often takes center stage on the field, collegiate collaboration in the lab defines teamwork. In just the past 10 years, faculty from both colleges have coauthored 1,388 research projects together—from air quality and atmospheric research to developing safer dating apps and language studies. Read about the two university's research collaborations here.