No. 2 Notre Dame is set to face No. 8 BYU on Saturday, Oct. 18, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in a highly anticipated matchup that places two undefeated teams and their star quarterbacks at the center of national attention. The game, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MDT, features a clash between BYU's Bear Bachmeier and Notre Dame's CJ Carr, both of whom are seeking to solidify their standing in the Heisman Trophy race.
Quarterback Legacies and Lineage
The contest highlights a significant intersection of college football legacies. Notre Dame has a storied history of producing seven Heisman Trophy winners, including Angelo Bertelli (1943), John Lujack (1947), Paul Hornung (1956), and John Huarte (1964). BYU's history includes one Heisman winner, Ty Detmer, who won the award in 1990. This tradition is mirrored in the current roster of talent, as both teams enter the game with undefeated records.
Bachmeier's Dual-Threat Impact
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, a sophomore who transferred from Stanford, enters the game with a 17-2 record as a starter. According to Deseret News, Bachmeier has thrown for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns with one interception through five games, while also contributing 239 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. His dual-threat capabilities were on display during recent victories, including a 24-10 win over Iowa State and a win against TCU on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Carr's Offensive Dominance
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, a redshirt sophomore listed as a junior, has recorded 1,378 yards and 16 touchdowns with one interception through six games. While Carr has benefited from a high-powered offense, he has also seen reduced playing time due to significant blowouts. Despite the team's dominance, BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga described Carr as "the best quarterback in the country," noting his ability to get the ball out on time and his rhythmic style of play.
Heisman Trophy Implications
The Heisman Trophy conversation remains a central theme for the upcoming showdown. While both quarterbacks lead undefeated, top-10 teams, a poll of Heisman voters conducted by On3.com after Week 6 suggests neither Carr nor Bachmeier are currently considered serious contenders for the award. However, perspectives vary across the sports landscape. Sporting News has included Carr among its top five Heisman candidates, while Fox Sports' Robert Griffin III placed Bachmeier at No. 4 on his "Top 5 Heisman Front-Runners" list following Week 6.
Defensive Matchup Strategies
Defensive strategies will be critical to the outcome of the game. BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga stated that the key to stopping the 6-foot-2, 215-pound Carr will be providing multiple defensive looks to confuse him and force errant throws. Conversely, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman emphasized that containing BYU's 6-2, 230-pound Bachmeier is essential for the Irish, who boast the best total defense in the country, allowing just 214.2 yards per game.
Game Atmosphere and Context
The game's atmosphere will be heightened by the presence of former BYU quarterback Steve Young, who is slated to be the guest picker for the "College GameDay" broadcast on Saturday morning in Provo. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman noted that Bachmeier is a "special player" who can hurt opponents both through the pass and the run, adding that the quarterback's ability to run with power is a significant challenge for any defense.
Broadcast Information
The game is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, with a broadcast time of 5:30 p.m. MDT. Fans can follow the action via ABC on television or listen to the game via 102.7 FM/1160 AM. SiriusXM will also provide live coverage, with Notre Dame listeners tuned to channel 82 and BYU listeners on channel 166.
