Notre Dame at BYU - 2026 Matchup Preview
Notre Dame logo Notre Dame Fighting Irish at BYU CougarsBYU logo
Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
LaVell Edwards Stadium - Provo, UT

 
Fighting Irish (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Marcus Freeman (43 - 12)
Avg Score : 42 - 18 (38 - 17 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#134)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
BYU 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Notre Dame -9  (SP+ ND -8.5)
Projected Score: ND: 33 - BYU: 24 (56)
ND Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
ND Travel: 1325 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Cougars (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kalani Sitake (84 - 45)
Avg Score : 31 - 19 (41 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 11.7 - 2.3 (#7)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Notre Dame's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3 Notre Dame at North Carolina-25
Sat 10/10 Notre Dame vs Stanford-34
Sat 10/17 Notre Dame at BYU-9
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Notre Dame vs Miami-6
Sat 11/14 Notre Dame vs Boston College-34
Sat 11/21 Notre Dame vs SMU-17.5
Sat 11/28 Notre Dame at Syracuse-31.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Notre Dame's Schedule
BYU's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 BYU vs Utah Tech-39
Sat 9/12 BYU vs Arizona-9.5
Sat 9/19 BYU at Colorado State-26.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3 BYU at TCU-4.5
Sat 10/10 BYU vs Iowa State-13.5
Sat 10/17 BYU vs Notre Dame+9
Sat 10/24 BYU at UCF-15
Sat 10/31 BYU vs Arizona State-14
Sat 11/7 BYU at Utah+4
Sat 11/14 BYU vs Baylor-16
Sat 11/21 BYU at Kansas-11.5
Sat 11/28 BYU vs Cincinnati-14.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for BYU's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ND#4 (.36)49% (10)4247% (25)3.05 (50)20451% (6)2554.79 (6)#12 (.04)36% (13)17.638% (20)36% (16)2.58 (6)53.10.81.9
BYU#34 (.22)46% (33)31.447% (32)3 (58)17944% (48)2214.03 (39)#31 (.09)39% (37)19.139% (33)40% (59)3.29 (35)45.41.11.7
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
ND0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
BYU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ND Offense124238.249%4.790.8234602042555.953%45%47%51%13%.36
BYU Defense1419.113.739.1%3.291.7 - - - - - 47%52%39%40%16%.09
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
ND Defense1217.61736.4%2.581.9 - - - - - 43%56%38%36%18%.04
BYU Offense1431.440.545.5%4.031.1224001792214.853%45%47%44%14%.22

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Notre Dame1229:1722.548%55%5.553.10.81.95.82.8732.5
BYU1432:4221.941%58%5.445.41.11.75.32.1428.8
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ND Offense1253% (38)47% (25)34.8204.45.938 (11).25 (11)3.05 (50)62% (122)8% (36)1.16 (8)
BYU Defense1447% (33)39% (33) - - - - .06 (45)2.83 (54)75% (96)10% (70)0.96 (71)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
ND Defense1243% (7)38% (20) - - - - .04 (37)2.74 (39)71% (66)9% (77)0.89 (32)
BYU Offense1453% (37)47% (32)37.7179.14.833 (16).2 (26)3 (58)82% (5)8% (27)0.95 (77)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ND Offense1245% (95)51% (6)18.126.8255.19.514.125 (33)6 (34).45 (10)1.7 (25)29% (37)44% (2).65 (3)5% (35)2 (65)
BYU Defense1452% (107)40% (59) - - - - - - 17 (12).18 (37)1.5 (23)34% (36)26% (22).16 (16)6% (52)1.9 (24)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
ND Defense1256% (133)36% (16) - - - - - - 21 (1).09 (8)1.6 (93)36% (9)26% (24).17 (17)9% (3)2.1 (84)
BYU Offense1445% (102)44% (48)18.428.8221.17.712.115 (86)7 (20).28 (54)1.5 (94)30% (40)30% (76).34 (54)6% (65)2.1 (47)

Notre Dame's Power Ratings
Notre Dame's Power Rating: 29.01  #2
Notre Dame's Offense Rating: 30.81  #2
Notre Dame's Defense Rating: -2.34  #2
2026 Talent Rating: 1178.00  #2
Blue Chip Ratio: 57%  #8
Notre Dame's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Notre Dame's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 24.4  #5
Notre Dame's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.0  #4
Notre Dame's Defense SP+ Rating: 16.3  #13

Average Talent
Average FBS Independents Talent Rating is 884
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Notre Dame: 29.01   BYU: 17.89

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Notre Dame: 24.4   BYU: 15.9




BYU's Power Ratings
BYU's Power Rating: 17.89  #20
BYU's Offense Rating: 19.71  #17
BYU's Defense Rating: 9.83  #24
2026 Talent Rating: 806.00  #54
Blue Chip Ratio: 4  #56
BYU's 2026 Expected Record: 11.7 - 2.3
BYU's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 15.9  #18
BYU's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.9  #24
BYU's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #22

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 796.63
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


Notre Dame Scoring
Offense: 42 PPG
Offense on Road: 38.2
Defense: 17.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 17

Notre Dame's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Notre Dame 33
BYU 24

Projected Total Points: 56
BYU Scoring
Offense: 31.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 40.5
Defense: 19.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.7

BYU's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202210/08Notre Dame28BYU20Notre Dame -4Notre Dame51.0Under
201311/23Notre Dame23BYU13Notre Dame -1Notre Dame0
201210/20Notre Dame17BYU14
200510/22Notre Dame49BYU23
200409/04BYU20Notre Dame17
200311/15Notre Dame33BYU14
TeamWinsCoversO/U
BYU100 Overs
Notre Dame521 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 02 - 02 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 60 - 20 - 00 - 2

(#2) ND at (#20) BYU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNDBYU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #2 #20
SP+SP+ #5 #18
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #2 #54
Blue ChipsBC% #8 #56
Notre Dame Notes
(1/25) Freeman, Denbrock, QB Carr all back. Big year.
(1/25) Losing DB coach Mickens is a big loss
Notre Dame Injury Report
Notre Dame on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ND OffBYU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #10 #37
ExplosiveExp #3 #54
PPAPPA #4 #31
PowerPwr #2 #24
SP+SP+ #4 #22
Pts POPPO #6 #35
HavocHav #36 #65
Notre Dame Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ND OffBYU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #25 #33
Run ExplRExp #8 #71
PPAExp #11 #45
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #50 #54
Stuff RateStuff #101 #38
TackleTak - NR
Notre Dame Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ND OffBYU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #6 #59
Pass ExplPExl #25 #23
PPAExp #10 #37
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #36 #70
DB HavocDB #35 #52
BYU on Offense
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatBYU OffND Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #33 #13
ExplosiveExp #106 #85
PPAPPA #34 #12
PowerPwr #17 #2
SP+SP+ #24 #13
Pts POPPO #39 #6
HavocHav #43 #19
BYU Run Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCat
BYU OffND Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #32 #20
Run ExplRExp #77 #32
PPAExp #26 #37
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #58 #39
Stuff RateStuff #39 #74
TackleTak - NR
BYU Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatBYU OffND Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #48 #16
Pass ExplPExl #94 #93
PPAExp #54 #8
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #27 #77
DB HavocDB #65 #3
Program Comparison
BYU 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

ND 5 Year Profile: Consistent Title Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFB Elites

Weather Forecast
Playing in LaVell Edwards Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
ND's OC Mike Denbrock (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
C.J. Carr19529367%27412469.4
Jordan Faison11100%400040.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Aneyas Williams2422459.354
Nolan James Jr.143702.615
C.J. Carr413330.828
Jordan Faison1-80-8.00
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Faison49640413.154
Micah Gilbert993110.326
Mylan Graham (Tr)693015.523
Luke Talich184184.084

View Notre Dame's Full Roster

ND's DC Chris Ash (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Drayk Bowen675423
Adon Shuler522125
Jaiden Ausberry514250
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa488352
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Boubacar Traore3710780
Drayk Bowen675423
Jaylen Sneed355330
Keon Keeley (Tr)133311
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Christian Gray1810010
Leonard Moore310007
Adon Shuler522125

BYU's OC Aaron Roderick (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Bear Bachmeier25138765%30331577.8
Parker Kingston1617%22003.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
LJ Martin2361305125.549
Bear Bachmeier147527113.622
Parker Kingston2612334.720
Jovesa Damuni1911115.819
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Parker Kingston66924514.075
LJ Martin3625507.126
Walker Lyons (Tr)20223211.226
Jojo Phillips14161011.521

View BYU's Full Roster

BYU's DC Kelly Poppinga (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cade Uluave (Tr)9712344
Faletau Satuala798114
Isaiah Glasker639391
Siale Esera443141
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cade Uluave (Tr)9712344
Isaiah Glasker639391
Bodie Schoonover335333
Keanu Tanuvasa225233
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Evan Johnson422107
Therrian Alexander313125
Cade Uluave (Tr)9712344