College Football Game of the Week: Notre Dame at BYU
by Zak Drapeau
Sportz Nation - 10/15/2026
Matchup of the Week
College Gameday will be in Bloomington this week for the HUGE Ohio State-Indiana game but my attention will also be in Utah this week for the other Top-10 showdown between the Fighting Irish and the Cougars of BYU.
Ranking 2nd in the latest AP Poll (4th in my ranking), the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be on the road in what will be BY FAR their toughest test of the year at Brigham Young. On the other hand, BYU is currently 8th in the latest AP Pool as well as mine and while they haven't faced any Top-25 teams thus far, wins over Arizona, Iowa State and TCU has them battle tested.
The two teams have faced off 6 times in the last 25 years, with Notre Dame holding a 5-1 record but BYU winning the only game in Provo that the two have had in that time.
With both teams holding undefeated records heading into this matchup, the necessity for both teams to win the game its' Playoff implications are massive.
Notre Dame
Offense
Notre Dame entered the season as one of the best teams in the country and has played every game to prove that point so far. Their offense has been overpowering so far with a very elite and efficient passing game led by CJ Carr, who is currently 3rd in Heisman odds.
Carr has started the season with a 71% completion percentage and 19 touchdowns to only 1 turnover. Carr's elite season has been aided by the Irish's top receiver Jordan Faison who has a 28-387-4 statline on the year.
On the ground, the Irish started the year slowly with less than 4.5 yards per carry through their first 3 games. However, behind their top two RBs Jonaz Walton and Nolan James Jr., their last 3 games have seen averages of 39 carries for 218 yards per game at 5.5 yards per carry.
Defense
As far as the defense is concerned, they haven't been tested almost at all this season but that doesn't mean they're not elite. With 3 or 4 future 1st-round picks in their starting lineup (like CB Leonard Moore, LB Kyngstonn Villiamu-Asa, DL Boubacar Traore and SAF Brauntae Johnson), this defense is flush with talent as well as coached well and disciplined.
Averaging 11 points allowed per game, the Irish's defense ranks 4th in points and 1st in yards allowed with only 214 yards per game. A LOT of that comes to their schedule so far but it can't be understated how well they've played.
Notre Dame probably has the best roster in the sport which is why they're 33 point scoring margin ranks #1 in the country, but this test on the road will be the first time we see them face off against another good team.
BYU
Defense
The Cougars are off to their 3rd 5-0 start to their season in a row under Head Coach Kalani Sitake. Always with a defensive identity, BYU ranks 8th in points allowed and 7th in yards allowed on the season with only 2 games of more than 10 points allowed.
Their defense has been great all around but especially against the run allowing only 2.93 yards per carry. LB Cade Uluave and SAF Faletau Satuala have led the pack both in tackles and overall presence in the box. All in all it's been a group effort from everyone and that comes directly from Kalani Sitake's schemes.
Offense
On offense though, the Cougars could be in for a long game. RB LJ Martin is set to miss his second game in a row after suffering a high ankle sprain against TCU. Martin is one of the best backs in the country and 2025 Big 12 OPOY, who had a 40-328-3 statline through the first 3 games of the season.
Martin's absense will certainly affect BYU's gameplan to be centered much more around QB Bear Bachmeier. Bachmeier has been decently efficient behind the center this season but since Martin's injury, his average carries per game has gone from 3 to 12. They rushed for 5.7 yards per carry against a formiddable Iowa State team last week which is a GREAT sign but Notre Dame's defense will leave them with no mistakes to give.
Predictions
Notre Dame is favored by 10.5 points for this game in Utah with the Over/Under set at 46.5.
I definitely feel that with LJ Martin set to miss this game that the Irish will win but that 10.5-point spread is a big one considering BYU's defense. I understand that the Cougars offense may not even be able to score more than 14 this Saturday but are you totally sure Notre Dame can score more than 20?
I think both defenses show up and show out so give me UNDER 46.5. As for the spread, I think that BYU scores 14 points at most in this contest but Notre Dame doesn't score more than 24. I like BYU +10.5 thanks to a defensive effort and will predict a 24-14 win for Notre Dame.
As far as the game goes, I see Bachmeier completing only half of his passes and throwing an interception. BYU gets behind early and rushes for around 30 carries for 120 yards.
Notre Dame doesn't need to do too much to win this one besides not turn the ball over. If CJ Carr can play smart and pick up first downs with Jonaz Walton picking up a few 10+ yardwrs here and there, they will only need to play for field positioning and let their better athletes do the work.
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-Z.D.
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