It’s Christmas Eve, and when it comes to college football programs that match the festive vibes, BYU takes center stage. Known for blending faith and football, the Cougars are making waves this season—but not just on the field. The rivalry with Utah has shifted gears, turning the recruiting trail into a new battleground. And guess what? Kalani Sitake and his Cougars are coming out on top, while Utah’s program is left scrambling, trying to recover from a rough few weeks. It seems BYU is wrapping up this season with a bow—and maybe a few of Utah’s recruits under the tree.

Both teams have been busy from the outset of this off-season, retooling their rosters. This has involved both recruiting out of highschool as well as via the transfer portal. After Utah’s abysmal season well below expectations, this was an opportunity to recalibrate. However, their neighboring nemesis is making things difficult. 4-star defensive end Hunter Clegg flipped his commitment from Utah to BYU after a mission got him closer to his faith. He’s not the only one who has made this switch, and that’s not the only reason, either.

CFB media personality Drake C. Toll remarked just how much of a thorn Kalani Sitake and co. have been on Utah’s side on the recruitment front. Speaking on his “Locked on Big 12” podcast platform, Toll echoed concern about how things aren’t looking very progressive.“Utah has been a bit of a revolving door, and not in the worst way. The word that I used earlier this off-season for a couple of Big 12 schools was crisis. I don’t know if Utah is in a crisis, necessarily” he said.  “But they’re also not in a spot [where] their fans are very happy. Because the second they get a big-time commit out of the transfer portal, one of their players leaves and goes to BYU.”

Utah has had a fairly positive time hitting the portal. Their activity is ranked 4th in the conference, and they’ve garnered as many as 12 players. The top-ranked player is former 4-star RB Wayshawn Parker out of WSU. However, they’ve lost tight-end Carsen Ryan, in addition to Clegg, to Kalani Sitake’s Cougars. “They’re losing guys to BYU. Even if it’s only one or two, they’re certainly aware of that. I think the second Utah fans get momentum, they’re brought right back down to Earth.” said Drake C. Toll.

The traversal of these two rivals through the 2024 season couldn’t have been more averse. Their records were a fair reflection of this stark contrast. BYU finished 10-2 and were on the precipice of the Championship game. Meanwhile, the overestimated Utah Utes became byproducts of the unexpected rise of Colorado and ASU. Expected to be contenders for the conference throne in preseason, they finished the season 5-7. Recruitment was naturally a major focus, and it seems they’re taking 2 steps backward for each one forward. BYU must be reveling in their rivals’ peril, especially as the primary proponents causing it.

Kalani Sitake hasn’t even fully pivoted his focus to the recruitment front

Unlike Utah, BYU’s focus isn’t solely on 2025 and on. They’ve still got a Bowl game to partake in. As it turns out this Bowl game will be their moment in the Sun. Sitake and his Cougars will have the national spotlight on them, largely due to their adversaries. They take on the Colorado Buffaloes at the Alamodome in what will be earmarked by their superstar tandem bidding farewell.

Heisman winners Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders will play their last collegiate game. Naturally, the fervor surrounding the game will be high. This presents an opportunity for BYU to show out in front of the country and perhaps even spoil their party. Despite both being in the Big 12, their paths didn’t cross in the regular season. Kalani Sitake will be reeling not making the playoffs after their 8-0 start. The playoff-adjacent platform against a mainstream program is a chance to gain some momentum heading into next year, as well as tie a ribbon on this season.

Utah fans were not afforded a Bowl game to look forward to. They’ll just hope this pseudo-Holy War has ceased. 2 troops switching sides is plenty. However, this does signify the changing dynamic within where the power sits right now in the rivalry. The direction of the BYU program is perceived to be better. A huge 2025 beckons as the Utes seek to knock them off this perch.