Utah Tech (0-1, 0-1 Big Sky) at BYU (0-0, 0-0 Big 12)
- Kickoff: Saturday, 6 p.m. MDT
- Venue: LaVell Edwards Stadium (capacity: 62,073)
- TV: ESPN+
- Livestream: ESPN.com/watch
- Radio: KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM/BYU Radio Sirius XM 143.
- Series: BYU leads, 1-0
The trends
For BYU: The Cougars enter 2026 with their highest outside expectations in decades, having been tabbed as a Big 12 championship contender and potential College Football Playoff squad.
After finishing 12-2 last year and reaching the Big 12 title game, BYU will look to win at least 10 games in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2007-09, while aiming for another trip to Arlington and beyond.
BYU is 20-0 lifetime against FCS foes, having defeated Portland State 69-0 in the 2025 opener.
Under Kalani Sitake — who is entering Year 11 at the helm of the program with an 84-45 record — the Cougars have won their FCS matchups by an average score of 46-11.
For Utah Tech: The Trailblazers went 2-10 in 2025 and have been picked to finish last within the 13-team Big Sky Conference in 2026.
Against Montana State last week, Utah Tech fell by a 54-0 score, managed 227 yards of total offense and averaged less than 4 yards per play.
What to watch for
A number of key players will be making their BYU debuts, including Cade Uluave, Walker Lyons, Roger Saleapaga and Legend Glasker, so pay attention for the newcomers’ early contributions.
But perhaps the most consequential debut will be that of new Cougars defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga, who will be tasked with filling Jay Hill’s successful shoes.
While BYU likely won’t do anything too exotic on defense against Utah Tech, how Poppinga’s unit plays — and how different or similar it looks compared to Hill’s defenses — is worth monitoring. Utah Tech was held scoreless last week against an FCS foe, and the Power Four Cougars will undoubtedly be hungry for a shutout performance of their own.
Additionally, Saturday’s contest comes with the wrinkle of BYU having its first Big 12 matchup just seven days later — much earlier than usual. The Cougar backups will get plenty of run against Utah Tech, but how long the starters play will be interesting considering the balance of knocking off any offseason rust by getting the year’s first game reps while remaining fresh for Arizona in Week 2.
Key player
Legend Glasker, freshman, wide receiver, BYU:
Glasker emerged as one of the stars of fall camp, turning heads during media viewing portions of practice and garnering further buzz thanks to various social media highlights.
Just a year removed from suiting up for Lehi High, the true freshman has now accomplished the rare feat of earning a starting role at receiver out of his first-ever fall camp.
Given BYU’s lack of returning pass-catching production, Glasker has a clear path to becoming one of Bear Bachmeier’s go-to targets.
The Cougars will surely try to get as many other receivers involved against Utah Tech as possible, but keep an eye out for how Glasker fares in his first taste of college competition.
Quotable
“We’re really excited about the matchup, really excited to just get back on the field. The guys have been working really hard in the offseason and fall camp to get to this moment. We’re showing up relatively healthy, probably healthier than what we’ve been in years past ... I’m pleased with how the guys have been able to take care of their bodies and then recover.
“... We always talk about how we’re given 12 opportunities that we can show ourselves and don’t want to waste any of it, and this one happens to be at home Week 1 against Utah Tech. Lance Anderson, I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a really good coach and he’s done some really good things in his career ... we plan on seeing a much-improved, motivated team coming into LaVell Edwards Stadium this Saturday.” — BYU coach Kalani Sitake
Next up
- BYU: vs. Arizona on Saturday
- Utah Tech: at Montana on Saturday
BYU schedule
- Sept. 5 — Utah Tech
- Sept. 12 — Arizona
- Sept. 19 — at Colorado State
- Oct. 3 — at TCU
- Oct. 9 — Iowa State
- Oct. 17 — Notre Dame
- Oct. 24 — at UCF
- Oct. 31 — Arizona State
- Nov. 7 — at Utah
- Nov. 14 — Baylor
- Nov. 21 — at Kansas
- Nov. 28 — Cincinnati