In big-time college football, the in-state rivalry between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University is among the oldest and most storied in the country—dating back to 1896. Over the years, there have been some classic battles on the field, with each side collecting its share of unforgettable moments, some of which led to bitter feelings and poor sportsmanship displayed among fans of both teams.

As the Utes and the Cougars prepare to stage the latest installment of their gridiron rivalry on Oct. 18, 2025, the leaders of both schools want to remind red and blue supporters to choose the right way to express their passion for their favorite team.

Last year, the schools partnered on a campaign aimed at quelling some of the animosity that had built up in recent years. “Rival Right” is a combined effort to bring out the best in both fan bases.

The motto urges fans to “be respectful, be competitive, while keeping it lighthearted.” Additionally, they are encouraged to avoid the toxicity of rude behavior and personal attacks when cheering for their team.

“As one of the nation’s top rivalries when Utah and BYU meet, the whole state feels it,” said University of Utah President Taylor Randall. “When we ’rival right,’ we celebrate what makes the match-up special. It’s the shared passion, fierce competition and mutual respect we have for one another.”

Over the nearly 130 years of the historic rivalry, the Utes have a 52-30 lead in wins, with four other games ending in ties. Last year’s game was one of the most exciting in recent memory. The U scored 21 points in the second quarter, taking an 11-point lead into halftime. But the second half belonged to the Cougars, who roared back to pull out a last-second 22-21 victory with a field goal in the closing seconds of the game.

While the U holds a significant lead in wins overall, since 2000, the Cougars have more than held their own against their rivals to the north, winning five of the 11 contests played in the new millennium. And all but two of the games were very competitive, ending with the final score within eight points (a touchdown and two-point conversion).

This season, BYU is off to an excellent start, going into the rivalry game ranked No. 18 with an undefeated 5-0 record, while unranked Utah will come in sporting a 4-1 record. The kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.