None of the three is on another's schedule right now. The trophy stays with BYU until they meet again. No winner has been officially named since 2016. BYU has kept the boot since sweeping its in-state rivals in 2021.
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Start a pick'em contestHow the Beehive Boot came to be
The Beehive Boot was dreamed up by BYU sports information director Dave Schulthess and launched in 1971 together with the sports information directors at Utah, Utah State and Weber State.
The organizers wanted a prize that honored the people who built the state, so they chose a genuine pioneer boot, which antique dealer Tom Beasley of Cache Valley supplied after a long search.
The boot goes to the Utah FBS school with the best record against its in-state FBS rivals, and when records end up tied, a panel of in-state media members (play-by-play announcers and beat writers) votes on the winner.
Weber State, now an FCS program, was part of the original setup, but its games stopped counting by 2012 at the latest, leaving BYU, Utah and Utah State as the only contenders.
In 1979 the trophy was dedicated as a memorial to Steve Smilanich, a Utah sportswriter killed in a 1970 car accident.
The trophy itself. An authentic Mormon pioneer boot, estimated to be more than 100 years old, displayed in a glass case with an engraved plaque. It was donated by Cache Valley antique dealer Tom Beasley.
Beehive Boot history
- 1971
The Beehive Boot is introduced; Utah State wins the first one and keeps it through 1974.
- 1979
The trophy is dedicated to the memory of sportswriter Steve Smilanich.
- 2012
BYU, Utah and Utah State all finish 1-1 against each other; the media panel votes the boot to Utah State, the fourth time a vote was needed and the fourth time the Aggies won it.
- 2016
Utah beats BYU 20-19 and receives the boot, the last time it was officially awarded.
- 2017
Officials decline to name a winner after Utah and Utah State both beat BYU but did not play each other; the award stalls because a full round-robin is now expected.
- 2021
BYU beats Utah 26-17 and Utah State 34-20, asks where the boot is, and takes possession in October after Utah locates it.
- 2025
BYU edges Utah 24-21 on Oct. 18 in Provo, but no Beehive Boot winner is announced.
Recent results
| Season | Result | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Utah Utes 33, Utah State Aggies 0 | Rice-Eccles Stadium |
| 2025 | BYU Cougars 24, Utah Utes 21 | LaVell Edwards Stadium |
| 2024 | BYU Cougars 22, Utah Utes 21 | Rice-Eccles Stadium |
| 2024 | Utah Utes 38, Utah State Aggies 21 | Maverik Stadium |
| 2022 | BYU Cougars 38, Utah State Aggies 26 | LaVell Edwards Stadium |
| 2021 | BYU Cougars 34, Utah State Aggies 20 | Maverik Stadium |
| 2021 | BYU Cougars 26, Utah Utes 17 | LaVell Edwards Stadium |
Beehive Boot facts worth knowing
Utah State has won all four media votes held to break a three-way tie: 1973, 1997, 2010 and 2012.
Before 2021, the boot spent several years in Utah's Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center without being awarded.
It is one of the few three-team trophies in major college football.
Utah State kept the boot in Logan for its first four years, 1971 through 1974, before BYU began its long run of dominance.
In 2021, all three Utah FBS programs finished the season nationally ranked for the first time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Beehive Boot?+
The Beehive Boot is the trophy BYU, Utah and Utah State play for in college football, first awarded in 1971. An authentic Mormon pioneer boot, estimated to be more than 100 years old, displayed in a glass case with an engraved plaque. It was donated by Cache Valley antique dealer Tom Beasley.
How did the Beehive Boot come to be?+
The Beehive Boot was dreamed up by BYU sports information director Dave Schulthess and launched in 1971 together with the sports information directors at Utah, Utah State and Weber State.
Who has the Beehive Boot right now?+
BYU holds the Beehive Boot after the 2021 round robin (BYU beat Utah 26-17 and Utah State 34-20). The live block on this page updates as soon as the next meeting is played.
Which school has won the Beehive Boot most often?+
BYU has won it the most. The count as of the end of the 2025 season: BYU 23, Utah 15, Utah State 9. Counts official awards from 1971 through 2016 plus BYU's 2021 claim; a media vote broke three-way ties.
When is the next Beehive Boot game?+
No BYU-Utah-Utah State game is on ESPN's schedule right now. Conference schedules rotate, so check back as the next season's slate is released.
Where can I bet on the Beehive Boot game?+
You can bet BYU vs Utah vs Utah State on BettorEdge, a peer-to-peer marketplace where you trade with other bettors rather than a sportsbook, so the price carries no built-in house vig. You can also run a free pick'em contest for the game with your group.
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Records and the current holder are as of the end of the 2025 season; the next-game block and recent results update from ESPN. Counts official awards from 1971 through 2016 plus BYU's 2021 claim; a media vote broke three-way ties.Sources: en.wikipedia.org, byucougars.com, ksl.com, si.com.
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