No. 2 BYU will travel to Orlando on Saturday to face Central Florida, attempting to maintain an undefeated season after securing a historic 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame on Oct. 17, 2026. The Cougars, currently ranked second in the AP poll, will be the highest-ranked team to ever visit the Acrisure Bounce House in the stadium's 20-year history.
Historic Victory Over Notre Dame
The victory over the Fighting Irish on Oct. 17, 2026, marked the first time BYU defeated a No. 2 opponent since defeating No. 1 Miami in 1990. Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier led the offense with 224 passing yards and 45 rushing yards. Bachmeier also recorded a receiving touchdown on a double pass, making him the first FBS player in 30 years to record a rushing, passing, and receiving touchdown against an AP Top-5 opponent in a single game. He is the first Cougar to achieve those three milestones in one game since Steve Young did so in the 1983 Holiday Bowl.
In that matchup, Bachmeier connected with tight end Walker Lyons for a 6-yard touchdown with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter to reclaim the lead. The defensive effort included nine tackles from linebacker Cade Uluave and seven tackles from safety Raider Damuni, who was playing in his first game since the season opener against Utah Tech. The secondary held Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr to a 55% completion percentage and surrendered no passing touchdowns.
Rising National Rankings
Following the win, BYU climbed to No. 2 in the AP poll, marking their first top-5 ranking since the end of the 1996 season and their highest ranking since finishing the 1984 season at No. 1. Despite the surge in national attention, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake stated he is not focused on the rankings, emphasizing a culture of staying "humble and hungry."
Central Florida head coach Scott Frost noted that the matchup is an awesome opportunity for the Knights to shoot for a victory during their homecoming. Frost described the upcoming game as a contest between two good teams and praised the quality of the previous BYU-Notre Dame game.
Offensive and Defensive Trends
The Cougars enter the matchup with a 6-0 record and a 3-0 record in the Big 12. While the offense has seen growth, BYU currently ranks 11th in the Big 12 in total offense with 421.2 yards per game and ninth in scoring with 33.5 points per game. The team has relied heavily on a defense that allows just 15.2 points and 274.7 yards per game.
Offensive struggles earlier in the season were partly attributed to the loss of star running back LJ Martin, who suffered a lower body injury against TCU on Oct. 3, 2026. Tight end Walker Lyons noted that the offense has begun to find more flow in recent weeks, suggesting the team is more settled than in the early weeks of the season.
Central Florida Injury Status
Central Florida enters the game with a 3-3 record and a 1-2 record in the Big 12. The Knights are coming off a bye week, which they hope will assist players returning from injury. While quarterback Alonza Barnett III is making progress on a hamstring injury, ESPN reports he is not expected to be available for this week's game. Keyone Jenkins is expected to make his fifth consecutive start at quarterback for the Knights.
Other notable absences for Central Florida include linebacker Lewis Carter, who has been out since Sept. 19, 2026, and center Jacob Maiava, who missed the Oct. 10, 2026, loss to Oklahoma State. Leading receiver Duane Thomas Jr. has also yet to play for the Knights.
Conference Rivalry History
The matchup between the two Big 12 teams, which both joined the conference in 2023, carries historical weight as the Cougars hold a 4-1 all-time record against the Knights, including wins in each of the last two seasons. The two programs are also scheduled for a home-and-home series next season, with BYU set to travel to South Bend, Ind.
Upcoming Matchup
BYU will attempt to extend its winning streak this Saturday in Orlando.
