No. 8 BYU prepares to host No. 2 Notre Dame at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, in a high-stakes matchup between two undefeated teams. The primetime game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. MT kickoff and will be broadcast live on ABC.
A Historic Top-10 Matchup
The upcoming contest represents a significant milestone for Provo, as it will be the first time two top-10 teams have met in the city since 2004, according to WNDU. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish enter the game with a 6-0 record, while the BYU Cougars hold a 5-0 record.
Freeman on the Provo Environment
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman addressed the unique atmosphere of the matchup during media availability on Oct. 12, 2026. Freeman noted that while the environment in Provo will be new for his squad, the competitive challenge is one the program is accustomed to facing.
Notre Dame's Visiting Mentality
Freeman said, "This isn't something new to us. It's a new environment, right, because we've never been there. But this is what we do. I'm serious. This is what Notre Dame football does. We go into different places and it's a big game. And that's what we expect. That's why we're here. That's why we choose to come to Notre Dame. We love this. I love it. They love it. This is exactly why we're at Notre Dame," according to WNDU.
Notre Dame Recent Performance
The Irish head into the matchup following a dominant 58-7 victory over rival Stanford. During that game, Boubacar Traore recorded a strip sack on the opening play, and the Irish offense amassed 361 rushing yards and five touchdowns, supported by three touchdown passes from CJ Carr, per WNDU.
Focus on Bachmeier
A central focus for the defense will be BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Freeman identified Bachmeier as a special player capable of impacting the game as both a runner and a passer. Freeman noted that the quarterback "sees it well" and has the ability to "get the ball out of his hands" and "run you over" if necessary, according to WNDU.
Cougar Speed and Strategy
In addition to Bachmeier's dual-threat capabilities, Freeman highlighted that the Cougars possess significant speed on both sides of the ball. He emphasized the necessity of a strategic defensive plan to account for the quarterback's ability to run and pass effectively.
Game Week Logistics and Broadcasts
BYU athletics has organized several activities around the game week. While specific details regarding an ESPN College GameDay campus appearance have not yet been announced, the university is providing comprehensive coverage through various channels. Fans can follow the action via BYU Radio on SiriusXM 166, BYURadio.org, the BYU Radio app, or KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM, according to BYU Athletics.
