Utah Utes 2026 Football Schedule Unveiled: SEC Team, In-State Rivals, and Big 12 Title Hopes
The 2026 schedule for the Utah Utes, under the leadership of Morgan Scalley, has been unveiled. The team will have seven home games at Rice Eccles Stadium and will face an SEC team at home for the second time in program history. Additionally, both in-state rivals will visit Rice Eccles Stadium, with one team playing there for the first time ever. Kickoff times for the games will be announced closer to the start of the season.
The season will kick off on September 3 with a home game against the Idaho Vandals. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since 1993, with Utah holding a slight edge in the all-time record.
On September 12, the Arkansas Razorbacks from the SEC will visit Rice Eccles Stadium for the second time ever. This game will feature two first-year head coaches facing off for the first time in football.
The Battle of the Brothers rivalry will continue on September 19 as the Utah State Aggies come to town. This game will also see Aggies head coach Bronco Mendenhall coaching against his former team.
Utah will then travel to Ames to take on the Iowa State Cyclones on September 26. This will be another matchup between first-year head coaches as both teams look to secure a win.
After a bye week, the Utes will host the Kansas Jayhawks on October 10. This game will mark the first time the Jayhawks play in Salt Lake City since 1996.
On October 17, Utah will travel to Boulder to face off against the Colorado Buffaloes. The Utes will look to continue their winning streak against the Buffs.
The Houston Cougars will visit Salt Lake City on October 24 for the first time since 1977. Utah will aim to secure their first win against the Cougars in program history.
Utah will then travel to Ohio to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats on October 31. The Utes won their first-ever meeting with the Bearcats in 2025 and will look to continue their success.
The Holy War rivalry game against the BYU Cougars will take place on November 7 at Rice Eccles Stadium. Utah will seek to end their three-game losing streak against BYU.
On November 14, the Utes will face the Arizona Wildcats in an attempt to get back in the win column against their old Pac-12 foe.
Utah will play at Amon G. Carter Stadium against the TCU Horned Frogs on November 21. The Utes will aim to break their three-game losing streak against TCU.
The West Virginia Mountaineers will visit Salt Lake City on November 28 for the first time. Utah holds a 3-0 series record against WVU.
The Utes hope to compete in the Big 12 Title game on December 4 in Dallas. Utah came close to reaching the game last year and will strive to secure a spot this season.
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