A century-old boot decides supremacy in the heart of Utah

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the high-altitude landscape of Utah, three universities fight for a piece of history that is well over 100 years old. The Beehive Boot isn't just a trophy; it is the physical manifestation of an intense intrastate football rivalry where records are weighed and media votes break deadlocks.

The Beehive Boot was established during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season to determine which Division I FBS school in Utah holds supremacy. The competition involves three primary rivals: BYU Cougars, Utah Utes, and Utah State Aggies. While Weber State Wildcats were originally eligible for the trophy, their games ceased to count toward the records by at least 2012. Historically, the boot is most often awarded to the winner of the game between Brigham Young University (BYU) and the University of Utah, though it serves as a broader indicator of in-state dominance.

The history of the trophy is marked by periods of extreme concentration and shifting power. After spending its first four years at Utah State's campus in Logan, the boot remained with BYU for roughly two decades, where the Cougars won 19 out of 27 years. Since the mid-1990s, however, it has moved frequently between Salt Lake City and Provo. Notable streaks include Utah winning four consecutive boots from 2002 to 2005, while BYU currently holds the most total wins in the series with 23.

The rivalry is complicated by secondary trophies and historical disputes. While the Beehive Boot focuses on football, the Old Wagon Wheel is a separate trophy contested between BYU and Utah State since 1922. Furthermore, the 'Holy War'—the oldest rivalry among these schools—has conflicting start dates: Utah claims 1896, while BYU (and most historians) cites 1922 as the beginning of their football era. When three-way ties occur in the Beehive Boot standings, the winner is decided by a vote from the in-state media.

The trophy has occasionally vanished into administrative limbo. After Utah won it in 2016, no official winner was awarded for several years until BYU claimed it in 2021 after it was physically located by Utah. The award highlights how rare it is for an FBS triple rivalry to grant a physical prize to just one champion.

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