The 2026 college football season is already generating buzz as sportsbooks begin posting early betting lines for the upcoming slate of games. Among the most anticipated matchups are those involving the BYU Cougars, who are slated to face both Notre Dame and Utah in high‑profile contests that could shape their schedule.
According to DraftKings, BYU opens as an 11.5‑point underdog against the Fighting Irish, a spread that has already shifted to 10.5 points in the days leading up to the game. Historically, oddsmakers have tended to undervalue the Cougars, a pattern that has allowed them to exceed projected win totals in recent seasons despite playing on the road.
A New Era for the Cougars
The upcoming Utah game will mark more than just a rivalry contest; it will also signal a transitional period for BYU. longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham is set to hand the reins over to Morgan Scalley, a move that promises to reshape the team's identity and strategic approach as the new era begins.
In the BYU‑Utah rivalry, the Utes are listed as three‑point favorites, reflecting the closely contested nature of their recent meetings. BYU has rattled off three straight victories over Utah, and a fourth consecutive win would establish the longest winning streak against the Utes since the late 1980s and early 1990s, underscoring the momentum the Cougars hope to carry into the new season.