Old Wagon Wheel

Utah State37-51-3BYU
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →
15 players crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →

BYU leads the all-time series 51-37-3. They've met 91 times since 1922. BYU has won the last 3.

Current season

Vegas win totals and transfer-portal swing right now, plus what fans are actually saying — not history, this year.

Transfer portal
+5
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: +37
What fans are saying · player performance
fans debate whether Hillstead's height is a significant disadvantage
If Hillstead was taller, Hillstead would have countless power conference offers. He is built like a shorter DB, RB, and WR, but he has quarterback arm and talent.
Verified verbatim
Win total
10.5
Vegas over/under
Transfer portal
-14
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: -15
What fans are saying · schedule expectation
fans believe BYU is a strong contender to win the Big 12 and reach the College Football Playoff
BYU 2026 preseason preview: 12-2, nearly everyone back, and a Big 12 Freshman of the Year returning at QB
Verified verbatim

Stature & the series, 1922–2022

Both programs’ standing over time, each line named at its end, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won. (Stature is each program’s season-by-season standing on the Zeitgeist List, 1936–present — one score blending on-field performance, program achievement, and roster talent.)

program stature over timeUtah StateBYUevery meeting (bar height = margin; dark: Utah State won, gray: BYU won)19401960198020002020

The identity war

BYU has been the more pass-heavy program more often than not.

Across 23 seasons of real play-level data (2004–2026), Utah State led 8 and BYU led 15.

more passmore runUtah StateBYU2004200620082010201220142016201820202022202420262011BYU 16.7 ptsBYU won 27-242005BYU 14.0 pts2008BYU 9.9 ptsBYU won 34-14
Source team_season_stats (CFBD season totals) · pass rate = passAttempts ÷ (passAttempts + rushingAttempts)

BYU once won 10 in a row. The biggest win was BYU by 59 in 1977. The biggest crowd, 65,396, was in 2001.

The coaching duels

The draft ledger

Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.

Draft picks
46-95
BYU leads
1st-rounders
3-10
Since
1967
First CFBD-carried draft class
Utah StateBYU
1960s7-3
1970s5-14
1980s15-22
1990s1-16
2000s4-21
2010s12-7
2020s2-12

Best picks, either side

2021Zach Wilson Quarterback · New York JetsRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1970Phil Olsen Defensive Tackle · Boston PatriotsRd 1, pick 4#4 overall
2013Ezekiel Ansah Defensive End · Detroit LionsRd 1, pick 5#5 overall
1982Jim McMahon Quarterback · Chicago BearsRd 1, pick 5#5 overall
1987Shawn Knight Defensive End · New Orleans SaintsRd 1, pick 11#11 overall
1968MacArthur Lane Running Back · St. Louis CardinalsRd 1, pick 13#13 overall
1999John Tait Offensive Tackle · Kansas City ChiefsRd 1, pick 14#14 overall
1980Marc Wilson Quarterback · Oakland RaidersRd 1, pick 15#15 overall

Recent meetings

Gate premium

Utah State1.33×its own average home crowd
2022BYU38-26
2021BYU34-20
2019BYU42-14Utah State — Utah State routed by 28
2018Utah State45-20
2017Utah State40-24
2016BYU28-10
2015BYU51-28
2014Utah State35-20BYU — BYU favored by 21.0
2013BYU31-14Utah State — Utah State routed by 17
2012BYU6-3
2011BYU27-24
2010Utah State31-16
2009BYU35-17
2008BYU34-14

Every meeting since 2018, play by play

Each line is Utah State’s chance to win through that meeting.

2022BYU 38-26Utah State lost 26-38 at BYU. Chance to win started at 7%, low under 1%, high 15%.Steady
2019BYU 42-14Utah State lost 14-42 vs BYU. Chance to win started at 61%, low under 1%, high 63%.
2018Utah State 45-20Utah State won 45-20 at BYU. Chance to win started at 50%, low 47%, high better than 99%.