BYU calls today's game with Utah at Cougar Stadium the 75th meeting, while Utah says it is the 81st. Predictably, the Utes and Cougars don't agree on much -- even the date when this series started.
In the beginning, on April 6, 1896, they played a game, vaguely similar to what we now know as football. The University of Utah defeated Brigham Young Academy, 12-4 (4?), in Salt Lake City. They played each other five more times between 1896 and 1898. In all, each school won three games apiece.That's according to The Book of Utah.
BYU doesn't acknowledge those games, counting only the ones played since 1922. The sport was banned at BYU from 1900 to 1919 because of the death of a football player in Salt Lake City in the late 1890s and the opposition of university administrators and LDS Church officials. BYU officially launched football in '22.
Even if the two schools can't agree on when the series began, no one can argue it hasn't grown into a great rivalry -- especially of late.
With every game, another fascinating chapter is added as the football field turns into a stage featuring drama, emotion, heroes and goats. Certainly, 1999's showdown will produce more memories and will keep the alums, coaches, players fans from both schools talking about it for the next 12 months and likely well into the new millennium.
Aside from bragging rights, there is plenty at stake today at Cougar Stadium. For BYU, it's a chance to claim the inaugural Mountain West Conference championship outright and earn a trip to the Liberty Bowl. For Utah, it's a chance to win a share of the MWC title (and keep the Cougars from winning it outright) and the possibility of a bowl.
Yet most of the games in this series haven't had those types of implications hinging on the outcome. In fact, this series is marked by long stretches of domination by one team or the other.
When BYU football began (wink, wink), in 1922 , Utah crushed the Cougars 49-13. That set the tone for the next 20 seasons. From 1923-38, Utah outscored BYU 416-39 in those 15 games and shut out the Cougars 10 times.
It wasn't until 1942 that BYU finally beat Utah for the first time. BYU blocked a punt at the Utah 10-yard line, and on fourth down Herman Longhurst scored on a four-yard run to lift the Cougars to a 12-7 victory in Salt Lake City. BYU fans ripped down the goal posts and sawed them up for souvenirs.
Because of World War II, the teams didn't meet again until 1946, but not much changed after the layoff. Utah continued thrashing BYU, with rare exceptions. The turning point came in 1972, when LaVell Edwards took the helm at BYU. At the time, the Utes held a 38-5-4 advantage in the series. Then Edwards won 18 of the next 20.
Only since the mid-1990s has the rivalry become competitive on a yearly basis. The Utes have won four of six contests, dating back to 1993, when Utah downed BYU for the first time in Provo since 1971. Edwards says this Ute resurgence has has everything to do with the arrival of Utah coach Ron McBride 10 years ago.
"Now that we've had success in the last six years, it's a big game for both schools," McBride says. "Playing BYU is why I came back here (to Utah). I love playing them."
It's a sentiment shared by thousands of boosters on both sides.
And why not? The rivalry has a little bit of everything:
Cultural Overtones. Religion plays a factor in this game. Some call it the Holy War. BYU vs. Utah is Church vs. State. Tuesday devotionals vs. Frat parties. Apple cider vs. Beer.
Rallying Cries. After back-to-back Utah victories in 1993 and 1994 by the identical score, bumper stickers proclaiming, "34-31, Get Used To It" cropped up. After BYU lost to Utah only twice in 20 years, in 1978 and 1988, Cougar fans wore T-shirts explaining, "We believe in paying our tithing -- one game every 10 years."
Turncoats. Both teams have players and coaches who have ties with the other school. For instance, Ute defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham and defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi both played at BYU, while BYU offensive coordinator Norm Chow and defensive coordinator Ken Schmidt played at Utah.
Insults Added To Injuries. In 1977, BYU quarterback Marc Wilson re-entered a 38-8 Cougar rout to set an NCAA passing record. In 1993, Utah players and fans rushed the field at Cougar Stadium to tear down the goal posts.
Great Games. Creating "Best-of-the-Century" lists is all the rage. Why not one for the BYU-Utah rivalry? Here are 10 of the most memorable and/or significant Ute-Cougar battles of the 1900s . . .