Holy War history: BYU and Utah square off as ranked foes for the first time since 2009

BYU football's storied rivalry with its neighbors to the north, the Utah Utes, has been one of tradition, of pride. One of exceptional football, heated competition, heartbreak, and euphoria. Since the teams parted ways in 2011, abandoning the Mountain West Conference in search of greener pastures (or turf, in this case), these two teams had a bit of a moratorium from one another, calling a ceasefire from a rivalry that began in 1896, and staying off one another's schedule from 2013 to 2015, only battling each other in that final year thanks to a committee's determination the two deserved each other in the Las Vegas Bowl.

The Holy War, as it's been coined, has always been a highly-anticipated matchup. Both fanbases spend the entire lead up comparing wins, schedules, resumes, and every tiny detail they can to earn a moral leg-up on the other before a snap has even been played between the red and blue. This season, something especially explosive has been brewing between the two sides, and the nation is beginning to take notice.

This game marks the first time BYU and Utah have squared off as ranked opponents since 2009. That's 16 years ago, for those of you who didn't click on this article, giddy to do some mental math. Considering these are two highly successful football programs historically, this makes about as much sense as whole milk actually being 3.25% milkfat. The fans know this. The media is taking notice.

FOX's Big Noon Kickoff show will be broadcast live from Provo for the second-straight season to preview the weekend's most exciting matchups, highlighted by the impending clash between 15th-ranked BYU and 23rd-ranked Utah.

BYU has won the past two matchups in a row, a backhand return for Utah's 9-game streak lasting from 2010, the final season these two shared a Mountain West patch.

Finally together again as Big 12 foes, these two will square off one year removed from one of the worst seasons of Utah football in recent memory, certainly under head coach Kyle Whittingham. The Utes whiffed on reaching their sixth win to become bowl eligible in their first season of Big 12 membership. The surging BYU Cougars went into Salt Lake City and narrowly escaped with a Will Ferrin field goal as the game clock withered within the final seconds.

Despite owning home field advantage and an unblemished record, BYU enters this matchup as a two-point underdog to their Beehive State brothers, whose only fault to this point in the season was a nightmare loss against conference favorite Texas Tech, a team that now stands as the seventh-ranked program in the nation.

But the Utes aren't just happy to walk into LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday and squeak past with a win. Yes, they would be pleased, but this is a program with tremendous pride in its historical advantage over the Cougars. Last season was prolonged humiliation for a team expecting to take home the Big 12 title. This season, with an improved roster, the Utes don't just want to outscore their rivals -- this is a chance to let out some pent-up rage.

The last time these two battled with a ranking beside their names on the score bug? The contest went into overtime, with an Andrew George touchdown sealing a BYU victory for the home crowd in Provo. Utah defenders collided. Max Hall layed into the Utes during the postgame, "I don't like Utah. In fact, I hate them."

One point is certain whenever these teams face off, however. No matter the standings, record, talent, or location, BYU vs Utah never disappoints on the football field. This season's matchup may be even more intense than ever. Neither side is looking to concede defeat to the other, and the pot is boiling over.

BYU vs Utah. Welcome to Holy War Week.