The Utah Tech Trailblazers and BYU Cougars play on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, in a game on the college football Week 1 schedule.
Which team will win the college football Week 1 game?
Check out these college football Week 1 picks and college football Week 1 predictions for the game, which can be seen at 5 p.m. MST on ESPN+ (stream with ESPN+).
BYU is a 51.5-point favorite over Utah Tech in college football Week 1 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The over/under (point total) for the game is set at 59.5 points.
Watch BYU vs Utah Tech on ESPN+
The Arizona Republic: BYU 49, Utah Tech 10
Jeremy Cluff writes: "Some people think Kalani Sitake's BYU team might actually be the team to beat in the Big 12 this season. There won't be any reason
for them to have doubts after this game."
Bookies.com: Bet Utah Tech with the points vs BYU
Bill Speros writes: "This is a preposterous number, and even against a bad FCS team the math rarely gets there. BYU wins 55-7, and Utah Tech still covers. Kalani Sitake lacks the need and the will to push this one that far."
Dimers.com: BYU 55, Utah Tech 4
It writes: "After extensive simulations, our model gives Utah Tech a win probability of 0%, while Brigham Young has a win probability of 100%."
ESPN: BYU has a 99% chance to defeat Utah Tech on Saturday
The site gives the Trailblazers a 1% shot at winning the college football Week 1 game.
Picks and Parlays: BYU 55, Utah Tech 3
David Anicetti writes: "Utah Tech's opening performance makes this a difficult matchup even with a 47.5-point spread. The Trailblazers produced only 227 total yards and turned the ball over twice against Montana State. BYU has the rushing attack to control the game immediately, and Bachmeier gives the Cougars another scoring threat on the ground. BYU's defense also has the personnel to keep Utah Tech from producing enough points to threaten the spread."
Sports Illustrated: BYU 63, Utah Tech 0
Joe Wheat writes: "There's not much to say here but BYU should dominate. Utah Tech lost 54-0 in week zero to defending FCS National Champion Montana State at home. In that game, the Trailblazers were out-gained by 220 yards, out-possessed by 11 minutes, and were out-converted on third down by 40%. Utah Tech also allowed a punt block for a touchdown and threw two interceptions. Utah Tech did find some life in the second half with backup QB CJ Tiller, but there is no reason Utah Tech should score or stop BYU from scoring on any drive in the first three quarters. This game should be a carbon copy of what BYU did to Portland State last season."
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Sign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: BYU vs Utah Tech picks, predictions, odds for college football Week 1
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
