No. 14 BYU vs. Utah Tech: Preview, storylines to watch, score prediction

The long wait is over. BYU football is back to kick off the 2026 season. The 14th-ranked Cougars open the 2026 season against the Utah Tech Trailblazers from the Big Sky Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper previews the matchup. Gives his thoughts on the game. The value of FCS games moving forward. The "Family Reunion" vibe of Saturday's game between BYU and Utah Tech. Mitch also shares what he's excited to watch for on Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Then, finally, he gives his score prediction and players of the game for the 2026 lid-lifter. Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes. Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT). Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609 YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh Download the KSL Sports app Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US  iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593 Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper. Want more coverage of BYU sports? Take us with you wherever you go. Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.