sportingnews
The BYU Cougars' football program celebrated a landmark weekend, highlighted by a stunning upset over No. 2 Notre Dame and a subsequent rise in the latest AP Top 25 poll. However, one noteworthy detail may have flown under the radar.
Steve Young, the iconic BYU alumnus, was selected as ESPN GameDay's guest picker and demonstrated his deep understanding of the game. The Cougars legend correctly predicted all ten games on Saturday, achieving a perfect slate. His most impressive pick was BYU's victory over the Irish. Pat McAfee was the only other analyst to choose BYU.
Maintaining a perfect record was an exceptionally challenging feat for Young, especially given the turbulent Week 7 schedule in which five of the top eight teams suffered defeats.
Before his Hall of Fame NFL career, Young was a standout quarterback at BYU in the 1980s. In his senior season, he led the nation in passing yards (3,902), passing touchdowns (33), and passer rating. Young was a unanimous All-American, received the Davey O'Brien Award, and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Nebraska running back Mike Rozier.
Young spent over two decades as an NFL analyst for ESPN before the network parted ways with him in 2023. This marked the first time BYU had hosted College GameDay in 17 years.
The No. 2 Cougars entered Saturday's matchup with UCF boasting a 6-0 record, while Notre Dame stood at 6-1 and saw its College Football Playoff hopes take a hit. Miami ascended to the nation's No. 1 ranking, marking the first time the previous year's national championship runner-up had topped the poll in over two decades. For BYU, this was their highest ranking in 42 years, dating back to when they were No. 1 during the 1984 national championship run under LaVell Edwards.
College GameDay remains in the Beehive State this week for a Big 12 showdown between Utah and Houston.
Key Analysis
Young's flawless picking performance adds another layer to a memorable weekend for BYU football. His deep ties to the program and keen football insight were on full display, underscoring his enduring connection to the university. The Cougars' upset victory and subsequent top ranking signal a potential shift in the college football landscape, while Young's perfect slate serves as a testament to his gridiron acumen.
Originally reported by sportingnews.