No. 3 Notre Dame travels to Provo as the higher-ranked and higher-scoring team. To show, the Fighting Irish are 6-0 and averaging 44 points. While allowing just 11 per game. The Irish have methodically dismantled their schedule. Including a 58-7 home rout of Stanford last week.
Quarterback CJ Carr completed better than 70 percent of his passes for 1,378 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only one interception. Additionally, their defense ranks among the nation’s best against the run. Thus, limiting opponents to under 60 yards on the ground per contest.
Meanwhile, No. 8 BYU counters at 5-0. The Cougars bring a balanced attack that averages roughly 35 points and holds foes to about 13.4. Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier has thrown for over 1,000 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception. In addition, to adding nearly 240 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
The Cougars’ recent College Football Odds wins include a 24-10 victory over Iowa State. Their defense has been consistently stout. However, it has not yet faced an offense as efficient as Notre Dame’s.
Overall, the all-time series favors the Irish 7-2. The teams last met in 2022 at a neutral site in Las Vegas, where Notre Dame edged BYU 28-20. Their most recent game in Provo came in the 2004 season opener, a 20-17 Cougars win.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at BYU Cougars NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, October 17, 2026, 7:30 PM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. |
| TV Coverage: | ABC |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | -10 ( -105 ) | 47½ ( -115 ) | -385 |  |
| BYU Cougars | +10 ( -115 ) | 47½ ( -105 ) | +300 | |
| ||||
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish visit the BYU Cougars on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. The Offshore Bookmaker matchup is scheduled for national broadcast in the United States on ABC.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at BYU Cougars Matchup Analysis
Notre Dame’s offense has operated with high College Football Betting efficiency through the air. In sum, they generate roughly 262 passing yards per game. While mixing in nearly 195 on the ground. And that balance has produced 44 points a contest against defenses that have yet to force sustained stops.
In a similar way, the Irish rank near the top of the FBS in limiting explosive plays and third-down conversions. In particular against the run, where they hold opponents to under 60 yards per game. That creates a difficult environment for any team looking to establish the line of scrimmage.
To show, BYU has leaned on a ground attack that averages more than 220 rushing yards. And it features a dual-threat quarterback who can extend plays with his legs.
BYU’s scheme has thrived when it controls early downs and keeps defenses honest with the run. In turn, it limits opponents to about 13 points. While allowing the Cougars to manage game tempo.
Specifically, BYU’s passing game is more complementary than primary, averaging just over 200 yards through the air. Success against Notre Dame’s secondary will depend on whether Bachmeier can create outside structure. Especially when the designed runs are bottled up.
Overall, the Irish have shown they can force teams into longer third downs and negative plays. That could neutralize some of BYU’s physicality at the point of attack.
SBG Free Picks
To summarize, sharps like Notre Dame as the side. The Irish’s superior efficiency metrics and elite run defense should allow them to generate enough early-down success. In addition to explosive plays to cover the number. Especially against a BYU defense that has been solid but untested against an offense of this caliber.
Finally, the Wise Guys prefer the under. Both sides rank among the nation’s best at limiting points and explosive plays.
SBG Best Bet: Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Under the Total.