Oct 14, 2026 · 50 min
BYU maps the formula for shocking Notre Dame
BYU’s Path to an Upset vs. Notre Dame | BYUSN
The matchup tests BYU’s growth, home-field edge, and standing in the Big 12 against a top-10 opponent.
- 1BYU sees home atmosphere, Bear Bachmeier’s mobility, and its tight ends as pressure points against Notre Dame.
- 2Danny Kanell emphasizes BYU’s challenge of scoring against an elite Irish defense while assessing Bachmeier’s development.
- 3Hans Olsen’s blueprint requires BYU’s defense to hold Notre Dame near 20 points and the offensive line to control the game.
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Hans Olsen lays out his upset blueprint and predicts BYU can beat Notre Dame 24–21 if the defense limits the Irish and the offensive line controls the game.
The brief
Spencer Linton and Jarom Jordan frame Notre Dame as a top-10 test with unusual stakes, amplified by BYU’s home crowd and College GameDay’s presence.
The hosts identify BYU’s potential advantages: Bear Bachmeier’s running ability, tight ends, the secondary, and the pressure surrounding Notre Dame.
Danny Kanell weighs Notre Dame’s talent against BYU’s home-field advantage, then focuses on whether the Cougars can score against an elite Irish defense.
Hans Olsen calls it the biggest game in BYU history and offers a clear upset blueprint: defend near 20 points, control the interior line, and win 24–21.
The closing discussion returns to home field, Bachmeier, and Kalani Sitake as the advantages that could turn a difficult matchup into a program-defining victory.