The 2026 college football season will open for the BYU Cougars on September 5, when they travel to face Utah Tech in a non‑conference showdown that could set the tone for the year.
Oddsmakers have already begun shaping expectations, and DraftKings has published early lines that paint a picture of a team still finding its footing on the national stage.
In Provo on October 17, the Cougars are listed as 10.5‑point underdogs against the Fighting Irish, a reflection of Notre Dame’s perennial reputation as a national contender.
A week later, BYU will head to Salt Lake City, where they are projected as three‑point road underdogs against the Utah Utes, a rivalry that always carries extra weight.
If the matchup were held on a neutral site, the line would essentially be a pick ’em, underscoring the competitive balance between the two programs.
The National Championship Picture
Beyond individual games, the broader narrative places Notre Dame at the top of the national championship conversation, with the Irish listed second only to Ohio State in early odds.
Should Notre Dame enter the Provo contest undefeated, analysts suggest they could ascend to the No. 1 spot in the rankings, a scenario that would make their visit to Utah’s rival campus a marquee event.
The Irish are expected to be heavy favorites in each of their first six contests before the trip to Provo, a stretch that could cement their status as the team to beat.
Big 12 Contention
Within the Big 12, both BYU and Utah share the second‑best odds to capture the conference title, trailing only Texas Tech, which sits at +100 despite questions surrounding quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility.
The odds gap is stark: Texas Tech opens at +100, while BYU and Utah are each listed at +600, followed by Kansas State at +1400 and Houston at +1600.
The early betting landscape thus sets the stage for a season that could see the Cougars punch above their weight, especially if they can upset a top‑ranked opponent and ride the momentum into conference play.