Pre-Game Quick Hits: No. 2 Notre Dame @ No. 8 BYU
247Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Notre Dame and BYU will meet for the 10th time on Saturday in LaVell Edwards Stadium, marking their first matchup with both teams ranked (Notre Dame No. 2, BYU No. 8); Notre Dame leads the series 7-2.
- BYU, now in its second year in the Big 12, has rebounded from a 5-7 debut season to a 28-4 record since, including a perfect 5-0 start this season.
- Notre Dame has struggled on the road against top-10 teams, losing its last seven such games since a 2012 victory over Oklahoma, with two recent losses under coach Marcus Freeman.
- Key players for Notre Dame in 2026 include freshman RB Jonaz Walton, who has rushed for over 100 yards in back-to-back games, and QB CJ Carr, who has thrown at least three touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
- The Irish defense has been stout against the run, allowing just 58.3 rushing yards per game midway through the season, while the team boasts a 49-0 record under coach Marcus Freeman when starting OG Sullivan Absher and Anthonie Knapp.
