The college football world descended upon Provo on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, as ESPN’s College GameDay arrived on the Brigham Young University campus for a matchup against Notre Dame. The event, which marked the first time the program visited Provo since 2009, featured a high-stakes $2 million kick challenge and a massive crowd gathered on the west lawn of Heritage Halls.
High-Stakes Kick Challenge
A significant highlight of the pregame festivities occurred when a raffle winner was unable to participate in a million-dollar kick challenge because they lacked proper identification. This led Pat McAfee, a former NFL kicker and sports media figure, to offer $1 million for a successful kick. The stakes rose when Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner Ryan Smith and his business partner, Notre Dame graduate Ryan Sweeney, each contributed an additional $1 million. BYU freshman Carter Smith, appearing in a Spider-Man suit, successfully executed a left-footed spiral through the uprights on his second attempt, winning $2 million, with the remaining $1 million designated for charity.
Return to Provo
The return of College GameDay to Provo marks the first time the production has visited the area in 17 years, following a 2009 appearance for a Mountain West showdown against TCU. Local residents expressed excitement about the event's return, including Eagle Mountain resident Carter Jones, who noted that seeing the program return to Provo was a long-awaited opportunity. Jones suggested that BYU's recent success, including its move to the Big 12 Conference and consecutive 11-win seasons, makes the program a compelling subject for national sports media.
Scheduling the Showdown
The scheduling of the Notre Dame game was the result of complex negotiations and a personal connection. According to CBS Sports, BYU athletic director Brian Santiago began the process last October while working with a scheduling broker to fill nonconference gaps caused by conference realignments. Santiago reached out to Ryan Sweeney, a Notre Dame graduate and partner of BYU booster Ryan Smith, to facilitate a connection with Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua. The two programs had previously been in negotiations to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl before Notre Dame withdrew from the game, leading to a subsequent agreement to meet in Provo the following year.
Historical Connection
The matchup between BYU and Notre Dame highlights a long-standing affinity between the two programs. BYU and Notre Dame first played in 1992, a game resulting in a victory for the No. 10 Fighting Irish. In 1994, BYU went on the road and defeated No. 17 Notre Dame, a game remembered by current BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, who was a freshman running back at the time. Sitake noted that the respect he gained for Notre Dame following that game was rooted in the manner in which the Irish players stood and applauded the Cougars as they left the field.
Scheduling Complexities
The complexity of the schedule was further complicated by previous agreements. BYU and Notre Dame signed a six-game scheduling agreement in 2011, intended to send the Cougars to South Bend four times. However, Notre Dame's partnership with the ACC impacted these plans, forcing BYU to surrender its home game to a neutral site in Las Vegas and allow the Irish to serve as the home team with a higher ticket allotment. Dallan Moody, a BYU senior athletic director, noted that while the arrangement was difficult for fans, the university worked with Notre Dame to meet the objectives of both programs.
Regional Impact
Beyond the game itself, the presence of the national production provided significant exposure for Utah County. ESPN's panel commented on the backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, and visitors noted the potential for BYU's success to attract tourism to the region. One Notre Dame fan, Jason, who traveled with his son from out of state, expressed that the success of BYU football could serve as a significant draw for visitors to the area.
GameDay Panel Insights
The GameDay panel included a diverse group of sports figures, including 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard and former Alabama coach Nick Saban. While Howard and Saban predicted a Notre Dame victory, McAfee sided with guest panelist and Hall of Famer Steve Young and the local crowd. The atmosphere was described as pandemonium, particularly as the crowd responded to the energy of the live broadcast.
