Notre Dame Football Primer: No. 2 Fighting Irish vs. No. 8 BYU in Provo

College GameDay is heading to Provo, Utah, for the Notre Dame vs. BYU matchup. A top-10 matchup is exactly what the Irish were looking for when they added the Cougars to their schedule last offseason. The Fighting Irish are deserving of their #2 ranking and come in as major favorites, but the game still has to be played for 60 minutes against an upset-minded and physical BYU program. Will Marcus Freeman and the Irish “Leave No Doubt,” or will they be forced into a “must win” against Miami?

Essential Game Info

• Game Time: Saturday, October 17th at 7:30 PM ET on ABC
• Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah
• Matchup History: Notre Dame Football is 7-2 all-time against the BYU Cougars (Last Meeting 2022: Irish won 28 to 20)
• Odds: Notre Dame -10.5

BYU Details

• Conference: Big 12
• Head Coach: Kalani Sitake
• 2026 Record: 5-0 (3-0)
• 2025 Record: 12-2 (8-2)

Weather Forecast:

At the time this article was written, the current forecast calls for a 2% chance of rain, with a high of 67 degrees and a low of 45.

What BYU Brings Into Provo

BYU Storylines:

Notre Dame travels to Provo for the first time since 2004. Cougar fans finally get their wish; after playing in South Bend several times and once in Las Vegas, the Fighting Irish are finally heading out West. Now in the Big 12 Conference, Kalani Sitake’s team went 12-2 last year and is undefeated heading into this primetime matchup.

In notable games, the Cougars beat Arizona 28 to 17, won at TCU 17 to 10, and beat Iowa State last week 24 to 10. BYU did fail on the big stage last year, getting blown out twice by Texas Tech (first in Lubbock, then in the Big 12 title game). However, even with last year’s losses against major competition, Cougar fans are awfully confident on social media heading into this clash.

The BYU offense is led by quarterback Bear Bachmeier. This fall, Bachmeier is 77 for 116 (66%) for 1,033 passing yards, 8 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and 3 sacks taken. On the ground, he has 36 attempts for 239 yards (6.6 yards per carry) with 4 rushing touchdowns.

Why Notre Dame Looks Built for This Test

Notre Dame Storylines:

Jonaz Walton and Nolan James Jr. have made the Irish a complete football team. Early in the year, the biggest weakness for the Irish was the departure of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but Mike Denbrock’s offense has found a new star in Jonaz Walton. He is built like Price, and his running style also resembles the former Irish tailback.

This season, Walton has 52 carries for 409 yards (7.9 yards per carry) with 2 rushing scores and a 97-yard TD run against Stanford last week. Nolan James Jr. has 65 attempts for 335 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and 5 rushing touchdowns. Aneyas Williams is still a quality third option, rushing or receiving, with 5 total touchdowns this fall.

CJ Carr can make the Heisman jump this Saturday. The Irish quarterback has looked elite this entire season. He is 102 for 144 (71%) with 1,378 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and 2 sacks taken. He hasn’t even needed to use his legs much, with 17 attempts for 69 yards (4 yards per carry) and 3 rushing touchdowns.

Look for Carr to use his legs a little more this weekend as the competition ramps up and Denbrock can utilize some of the designed quarterback rushing plays, like he used for Riley Leonard in big games (if the Irish need that extra blocker that a rushing QB can provide).

It is time for the Irish defense to shine on the road. Chris Ash’s defense has not played an elite offense yet, but they have shut down quality opponents in Wisconsin (technically ranked 26th), Purdue (has beaten 2 Big Ten schools since the Irish destroyed them), and North Carolina (which just upset #25 Pitt).

I am worried about the dual threat of BYU’s quarterback and this game being played on the road. But ultimately, this defense is too good for the Cougars to consistently put together scoring drives (even with or without Leonard Moore). From all three levels, BYU will not see anything like this in the Big 12 (not even Texas Tech, which was their best comparison last year).

Head-to-Head Matchups

Notre Dame Offense vs. BYU Defense: The Fighting Irish offense is averaging 457 yards per matchup, while the BYU defense is allowing 254 yards per game.

Both defenses have played well this season, and the Cougars have relied heavily on theirs in 2026. Notre Dame has been a balanced offense the past two weeks, with Jonaz Walton on the ground and CJ Carr lighting it up through the air. As is the case in most college football games, BYU will likely try to be physical and stop the run, putting pressure on CJ Carr to make quick decisions.

I do believe the Irish will be able to establish the rushing attack at some point in the game. But with an elite passing game and a last option with CJ Carr scrambling, I do not think the Cougars will be able to slow down the Irish for four quarters.

Advantage: Notre Dame

BYU Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense: The Cougars’ offense is averaging 433 yards per contest, while the Notre Dame defense allows 214 yards per game.

Bear Bachmeier and the BYU offense have not been anything out of the ordinary in 2026. An argument could be made that Wisconsin, Purdue, or North Carolina have offenses similar to the Cougars. Yes, Notre Dame has not faced elite competition yet, but it has faced several quality offenses and dual-threat quarterbacks. Besides an unusual performance at North Carolina, this defense has given up hardly any points.

Advantage: Notre Dame

Special Teams: Spencer Porath is 7 for 8 this fall, with his longest make at 52 yards. Conversely, BYU’s Matthias Dunn is 4 for 5, with his longest conversion at 49 yards.

There is no distinct advantage on special teams.

Advantage: Tie

The Prediction

If this game were being played in South Bend, I would be predicting a total domination like the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2024 playoffs. However, this matchup will be in Provo, which I think can be good in the long run for Notre Dame.

This will be a major test and have big playoff implications. If the Irish were to get upset, the home game against Miami would be a “must win” for the playoffs.

I believe Notre Dame is in a national championship tier, while the Cougars are only in the playoff tier. The environment will be tough, but the Irish have played in venues a lot bigger than BYU has to offer. Notre Dame’s defense is one of the best in the country, and it is going to be hard for the Cougars to move the football.

On offense, Mike Denbrock’s group has a great air attack that has finally gotten Jaden Greathouse rolling again, while the rushing attack has been great the past few weeks with Williams, Walton, and James Jr. Even Carr has the ability to keep teams on their heels in the zone read and quarterback scramble.

I do not think BYU has the roster to compete with Notre Dame for four quarters. This weekend will prove the Fighting Irish are one of the title favorites.

Prediction: Notre Dame 34 BYU 20