No. 8 BYU prepares to host No. 2 Notre Dame in a high-stakes top-10 showdown on Saturday, Oct. 17, as ESPN's College GameDay returns to Provo for the first time since 2009. The matchup brings together two unbeaten programs to LaVell Edwards Stadium, featuring Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young as the celebrity guest picker.
College GameDay Returns to Provo
ESPN's College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will broadcast live from the lawn at Heritage Halls on the BYU campus from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. MT on Saturday morning. This marks only the second time the premier pregame show has visited Provo, the previous visit occurring before a 2009 matchup against TCU. The broadcast will be available nationally on ESPN, ESPNU, the ESPN App, and Disney+.
Steve Young to Guest Pick
The selection of Steve Young as this week's celebrity guest picker was announced on The Pat McAfee Show. A former BYU standout and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Young led the nation in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer rating during his senior season. He also earned a unanimous All-American designation and finished second in Heisman voting behind Nebraska's Mike Rozier. Young, who served as an NFL analyst for ESPN for over two decades, expressed confidence in the Cougars ahead of the game. Speaking on X, Young stated that BYU has grown into shoes that are ready to take on Notre Dame and that the school is prepared for the challenge of competing in the Big 12.
Unbeaten Powerhouses Clash
BYU enters the matchup with a 5-0 record, a feat the program has achieved in its fifth consecutive season and fifth time under head coach Kalani Sitake since 2016. This marks the third consecutive season the Cougars have opened 5-0. Notre Dame enters the contest on a 16-game winning streak, the second-longest active streak in the FBS behind Indiana. All 16 of the Irish's recent victories have been by double digits, a streak tied for the third-longest in the AP Poll era. The two teams have met seven times in history, with Notre Dame holding a 7-2 all-time advantage. Their most recent meeting occurred in 2022 during the Shamrock Classic in Las Vegas, where Notre Dame won 28-20.
Key Matchups and Injuries
The game presents significant challenges for both rosters. BYU running back LJ Martin will miss the matchup, a notable loss for the Cougars' offense. Martin, a senior from El Paso, recorded nearly 1,600 all-purpose yards last season. Without Martin, the offensive burden falls on quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who recently recorded 109 rushing yards in a victory. The game is expected to be a defensive struggle, as both teams rank among the nation's best rush defenses. Notre Dame is holding opponents to 2.1 yards per carry, while BYU is close behind at 2.9 yards per carry. Despite the loss of Martin, some analysts suggest BYU may comfortably cover the spread in what is expected to be a low-scoring contest.
High Stakes for Both Programs
The matchup serves as a significant test for Notre Dame's schedule. As part of the 'Opportunity Knocks' feature, College GameDay will provide all-access coverage of head coach Marcus Freeman as he prepares his team for this major test near the Wasash Mountains. For BYU, the game is a chance to continue a dominant start and assert themselves within the Big 12. The Cougars have six all-time wins against AP Top-10 opponents, with their most recent victory coming against No. 9 Baylor in 2022. Their only victory against an AP Top-2 opponent occurred in 1990 against No. 1 Miami.
Fan and Parking Information
Fans planning to attend the College GameDay broadcast can begin lining up on Friday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m. MT at the northwest corner of Heritage Halls Building 6. The pit for the broadcast will open between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Saturday. Parking for spectators is available at the Marriott Center in lots 19 and 20. The football game itself is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. MT kickoff and will be broadcast on ABC.
