Move the Holy War: Give Utah vs. BYU a Later Kickoff on November 7
The Issue
To: University of Utah Athletics, BYU Athletics, the Big 12 Conference, and ESPN/ABC
The Utah–BYU rivalry is one of college football’s defining in-state matchups. With both teams having tremendous success, the November 7, 2026 game has the potential to be a major event for the state of Utah and college football fans nationwide.
The announced 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time kickoff is disappointing for a rivalry of this magnitude. In recent years, the Holy War has traditionally been played in the evening, with the 2025 game kicking off at 6:00 p.m. A 10 a.m. start creates additional challenges for traveling fans, tailgating, pregame traditions, and the overall game-day atmosphere.
We ask the University of Utah, BYU, the Big 12 Conference, and their television partners to reconsider the kickoff time and advocate for a later start, if scheduling and broadcast commitments permit.
This petition is not about choosing one team over the other or questioning our support for either program. Utah and BYU fans will show up, wear their colors, and support their teams regardless of kickoff time. We are asking for consideration of the fan experience and the significance of this rivalry when scheduling one of the state’s biggest sporting events.
Our requests:
Reconsider the 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time kickoff and explore a later time slot, if feasible.
Have both athletic departments communicate fan concerns to the Big 12 and broadcast partners.
Consider the game-day experience, traveling supporters, and the history of this rivalry when making scheduling decisions.
We recognize that television agreements and scheduling constraints may limit what is possible. Ultimately, we will support our teams no matter when the game kicks off. But we believe fans deserve a voice, and we hope the decision-makers will hear us.
If you agree, sign this petition and share it with fellow Utah and BYU fans.
Give the Holy War a kickoff that reflects the magnitude of this rivalry.
166
The Issue
To: University of Utah Athletics, BYU Athletics, the Big 12 Conference, and ESPN/ABC
The Utah–BYU rivalry is one of college football’s defining in-state matchups. With both teams having tremendous success, the November 7, 2026 game has the potential to be a major event for the state of Utah and college football fans nationwide.
The announced 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time kickoff is disappointing for a rivalry of this magnitude. In recent years, the Holy War has traditionally been played in the evening, with the 2025 game kicking off at 6:00 p.m. A 10 a.m. start creates additional challenges for traveling fans, tailgating, pregame traditions, and the overall game-day atmosphere.
We ask the University of Utah, BYU, the Big 12 Conference, and their television partners to reconsider the kickoff time and advocate for a later start, if scheduling and broadcast commitments permit.
This petition is not about choosing one team over the other or questioning our support for either program. Utah and BYU fans will show up, wear their colors, and support their teams regardless of kickoff time. We are asking for consideration of the fan experience and the significance of this rivalry when scheduling one of the state’s biggest sporting events.
Our requests:
Reconsider the 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time kickoff and explore a later time slot, if feasible.
Have both athletic departments communicate fan concerns to the Big 12 and broadcast partners.
Consider the game-day experience, traveling supporters, and the history of this rivalry when making scheduling decisions.
We recognize that television agreements and scheduling constraints may limit what is possible. Ultimately, we will support our teams no matter when the game kicks off. But we believe fans deserve a voice, and we hope the decision-makers will hear us.
If you agree, sign this petition and share it with fellow Utah and BYU fans.
Give the Holy War a kickoff that reflects the magnitude of this rivalry.
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Petition created on October 26, 2026