Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman previews massive matchup with BYU

Key Points:

• Notre Dame is off to a strong start in the 2026 season with a 6-0 record, ranked No. 2 nationally, and averaging a 33-point victory margin, aiming for their first national championship since 1988.
• Head coach Marcus Freeman praised the team's culture, physicality, and resilience, highlighting improvements on both offense and defense, especially after a tough game against North Carolina.
• This Saturday, Notre Dame faces No. 8 BYU in Provo, Utah, marking a significant challenge as BYU has never hosted a top-10 matchup before, and Notre Dame hasn't played a ranked opponent in nearly a year.
• Freeman acknowledged BYU's strong record, physical play, and particularly quarterback Bear Bachmeier's dual-threat capabilities, emphasizing the need for strategic defensive adjustments.
• Preparation for the game's high-altitude environment and hostile crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium is a key focus, with Freeman encouraging his team to use the challenging atmosphere as motivation rather than a hindrance.