Notre Dame junior quarterback CJ Carr remains a prominent contender in the Heisman Trophy race as the Irish prepare for a major matchup against No. 8 BYU in Provo, according to a October 16 report by Irish Sports Daily.
After six weeks of the 2026 regular season, Carr has recorded 1,378 passing yards, 19 total touchdowns, and only one interception.
The upcoming game in Provo represents a significant opportunity for Carr to achieve a signature win, a factor that heavily influences Heisman Trophy voting. This matchup features two undefeated teams ranked in the top 10 and will include College Gameday in attendance.
Jamie Uyeyama, writing for Irish Sports Daily, noted that this primetime game serves as a chance for Notre Dame to demonstrate it is a College Football Playoff-worthy team. Uyeyama also stated that Carr has improved significantly since beginning his college career, suggesting he may be among the best quarterbacks in college football.
Carr has maintained a 16-2 record as the starting quarterback for the Irish since the start of 2025. His ability to perform in high-stakes environments was previously highlighted during his first two monster games against Miami and Texas A&M.
This game carries weight for Carr's individual Heisman efforts as well as Notre Dame's national title aspirations. Other players currently holding similar or better odds to win the Heisman per FanDuel include Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who plays No. 5 Indiana, and Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, who plays Florida State.
The matchup between Notre Dame and BYU carries additional historical weight, as the two teams were scheduled to meet in the 2025 Pop-Tart Bowl before Notre Dame declined that bowl invitation. The Irish are traveling to Utah to face the Aggies in what is described as their most anticipated matchup since welcoming Mike Elko’s Aggies to South Bend over a year ago.
