Rivalries are one of the most important aspects of college football, and few battles inspire or evoke emotion quite like those that happen between brothers. For Utah and Utah State, the renewal of the Battle of the Brothers rivalry game is a return to a deep, storied rivalry between two of the largest state schools in Utah.
As the Utah Utes head north in 2024 to take on the Utah State Aggies, more than just bragging rights will be on the line as the Beehive Boot trophy is up for grabs as a signifier of football supremacy in the state of Utah. Let’s examine the rivalry between Utah and Utah State and what beyond bragging rights is on the line.
What Is the Battle of the Brothers?
Starting in 1892 as a game between what was then known as Agricultural College of Utah and the University of Utah, the Battle of the Brothers is a local rivalry game pitting the Utes against the Aggies as the two largest state-operated schools in Utah. The Aggies defeated the Utes in the first-ever meeting by a score of 12-0. Utah currently leads the rivalry by a record of 79-29-4.
Traditionally, the game between the two schools was played on Thanksgiving until 1958. With the changes in college football and both schools going in different directions as far as conference alignment goes, the most recent version of the game has been played in September.
The last meeting between the two programs occurred in 2015 when Utah defeated the Aggies in Salt Lake City by a score of 24-14. The last victory for the Aggies was in 2012 in Logan, Utah, where Utah State knocked off the Utes 27-20 in an overtime thriller. Previous to that, Utah had won 12 straight games dating back to 1998.
While the game is not nearly as vitriolic as the Holy War between Utah and BYU, this season should show some particular intrigue as former Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes will lead the way for the Aggies as Utah comes to town looking to continue its winning ways after starting the season 2-0.
As part of the rivalry, the Beehive Boot, an authentic pioneer boot mounted on a trophy, will be on the line as Utah plays both Utah State and BYU this season. The Cougars were the last team to be awarded the boot back in 2023 as they defeated both Utah and Utah State that year.
The trophy originated in 1971 and at the time featured four schools in the state; Utah, BYU, Utah State, and Weber State. The Wildcats were left out of the rotation at some point as they were an FCS-level school. BYU currently leads the series with 23 wins, Utah in second with 15 and Utah State has held the boot a total of nine times.
While BYU has held the trophy the most over the course of its existence, the Battle of the Brothers is the most played rivalry between the three schools. Utah last won the trophy in 2016 and held it until BYU won it back in 2023.
The game will take another break for a few years and return again in 2026 and 2031 as Utah State will head south to Rice-Eccles Stadium to take on the Utes.
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