Yes—the rivalry known as the Holy War between BYU and Utah has indeed been ranked #28 nationally by The Athletic in its list of top college football rivalries .
🔥 What Makes This Ranking Significant
- The Athletic placed the matchup between Stanford–Cal (#29) and Oregon–Oregon State (#27), highlighting the caliber of rivalries surrounding the Holy War .
- The passionate contrast—religious (LDS-affiliated BYU) vs. public/secular (Utah), private vs. public dynamics, plus cultural and geographical proximity (~50 miles apart)—fuels annual animosity and national appeal .
📺 National Spotlight & Recent Highlights
- The 2024 installment drew a record 2.07 million viewers, the most in the past decade for the series .
- The tight 22–21 game only amplified its reputation as a high-stakes, must-watch encounter .
In Summary
- The Holy War is officially ranked #28 among U.S. college football rivalries by The Athletic.
- Its strength lies in a mix of religious/cultural tension, conference relevance (now in the Big 12), and consistently thrilling, close contests.
- The recent spike in TV ratings and dramatic finishes reinforce its national visibility.
Let me know if you’d like to explore historical moments, TV ratings data, or fan perspectives from recent years!
