The BYU Cougars climbed to No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, following a 28-24 upset victory over No. 2 Notre Dame. The win, which marks the program's highest ranking since 1984, was accompanied by a Big 12 ruling that a clock error during the game's final play should have granted the Fighting Irish one additional second.
Bachmeier Leads Offensive Surge
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier delivered a career-defining performance during the Saturday night matchup in Provo, Utah. Bachmeier completed 23-of-36 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown, while adding 45 yards and two rushing scores. His decisive moment occurred late in the fourth quarter when he threw a six-yard touchdown pass to tight end Walker Lyons with 1:47 remaining, securing the win for the undefeated Cougars.
Recruiting Motivation Drives Victory
The victory served as a personal redemption for Bachmeier, who revealed after the game that he felt disrespected by Notre Dame during the recruiting process. Bachmeier noted that during his visit to South Bend prior to the 2025 recruiting cycle, the Notre Dame staff appeared focused entirely on five-star recruit Deuce Knight, leaving Bachmeier and his family "out in the cold." Bachmeier told reporters he was determined not to lose to the program after that experience.
Officiating Error Confirmed
Despite the win, the Big 12 Conference issued a statement following a review of the game's final play. Officials determined that time remained on the clock when the ball hit the ground on an incomplete pass to Jaden Greathouse, meaning the replay officiating crew incorrectly cleared the play. The conference stated that the error should have given Notre Dame one final play on second down and announced a complete review of the end-of-game officiating process.
Sitake Focuses on Team Goals
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake reacted to the team's jump from No. 8 to No. 2 in the AP poll by emphasizing focus over accolades. Citing a phrase used by legendary coach Nick Saban, Sitake told reporters he would not start caring about the ranking and urged his players to "keep the rat poison away from the boys."
National Rankings Shift
The surge in rankings follows a chaotic weekend in college football where five of the eight top-ranked teams lost on the same day. Following the results, Miami took over the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, receiving 40 first-place votes. The Cougars' rise to No. 2 in the AP poll was matched by a No. 3 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll, where they trailed Miami and Ohio State.
Looking Ahead
The Cougars move to a 6-0 record for the season, marking the fourth time under Sitake and the third consecutive season the program has remained undefeated. BYU's upcoming schedule includes matchups against UCF and Arizona State, followed by a potential top-10 road game against Utah on Nov. 7.
Conference Strength Grows
The Big 12 conference now boasts three teams in the top 10, including BYU, Texas Tech, and Utah. This marks the first time the conference has held three top-10 teams simultaneously since the 2021 season.
