On Sept. 13, 2007, the University of Utah and Brigham Young University announced the formation of a rivalry series between the two schools. The series - which begins this season - has been named the Deseret First Duel after title sponsor Deseret First Credit Union.
The rivalry series involves the 12 sports in which the two universities meet in head-to-head competition during regular-season play. Multi-team events (including postseason tournaments) are not included in The Duel standings.
The Deseret First Duel will use a system that awards points to the winner of each head-to-head competition. Points won by each sport will count toward a school's overall total. A team trophy will be awarded to the winner of each sport - and at the conclusion of each school year - a granite traveling trophy will be awarded to the overall rivalry series champion.
The Utah-BYU rivalry is one of the oldest and strongest in the country. In November 2005, the Wall Street Journal rated the rivalry the fourth best in college athletics. Thanks to a partnership with Deseret First Credit Union, the rivalry now has an official name and a traveling trophy to signify yearly supremacy. The Deseret First Duel sponsorship is for five years.
| Deseret First Duel Scoring System | |||
| Sport | Meetings | Points | Yearly Total |
| Football | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Men's Basketball | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Women's Basketball | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| Baseball | 4 | 1.5 | 6 |
| Women's Soccer | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Women's Volleyball | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Gymnastics | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Softball | 4 | 1.5 | 6 |
| Men's Swimming | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Women's Swimming | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Men's Tennis | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Women's Tennis | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Points | 64 | ||
