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Week 7 of the 2026 college football season brings a marquee showdown between No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 8 BYU on Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The game will be hosted by BYU and marks a significant test for both programs.
Notre Dame enters the contest with a perfect 6-0 record, having just demolished Stanford 58-7 last week. This will be the Fighting Irish's first encounter with a ranked opponent this season. Meanwhile, BYU sits at 5-0 after securing a major conference victory over Iowa State. The Cougars appear more balanced this year, particularly with quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who is known for his punishing running style that leaves defenders in his wake.
Key Analysis
The matchup carries an intriguing backstory: the two teams were slated to face off in last year's Pop-Tart Bowl, but Notre Dame declined the invitation. Both squads missed the College Football Playoff last season, with BYU finishing 11-2 and both losses coming against Big 12 champion Texas Tech. Notre Dame started 0-2 in 2025, including a loss to eventual national runner-up Miami, and despite a 10-game win streak, the committee left them out of the final spot. This game will serve as a litmus test to determine whether the Fighting Irish or the Cougars possess a national championship-caliber team, or if the committee's decision to exclude them was justified.
Notre Dame could be without cornerback Leonard Moore, who is listed as questionable due to a concussion. The outcome of this game will undoubtedly fuel debates about the playoff selection process and the strength of both teams.
Originally reported by yahoo.