Oct 6, 2026 · 50 min
BYU weighs Iowa State risk against Notre Dame opportunity
BYU’s Biggest Questions Ahead of Iowa State
The Cougars must manage key injuries and a physical Iowa State challenge before a nationally significant home game against Notre Dame.
- 1L.J. Martin and Isaiah Glasker’s uncertain availability could reshape BYU’s offensive and defensive plans against Iowa State.
- 2Blaine Fowler says BYU’s TCU win revealed both the team’s resilience and the need for more passing-game variety.
- 3Notre Dame’s primetime ABC visit raises the stakes, but BYU must avoid overlooking Iowa State first.
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Blaine Fowler connects BYU’s gritty TCU win, its limited passing production and the need for a more varied offense against Iowa State.
The brief
BYU enters Iowa State week with L.J. Martin and Isaiah Glasker doubtful, forcing questions about offensive production, linebacker depth and whether Martin should be preserved for Notre Dame.
Despite the injuries, BYU remains a double-digit favorite, while the hosts weigh Iowa State’s physical style and whether the Cougars can rebound offensively after the uneven TCU win.
Blaine Fowler calls the TCU victory the kind of difficult game that can define a season, but says BYU needs more variety in the passing attack and a stronger downhill run game.
The Notre Dame game receives primetime billing on ABC, bringing national exposure and possible College GameDay attention while sharpening the need to handle Iowa State first.
Listener reactions largely favor protecting Martin if BYU can win without him, with defense, weather, ball security and backup production emerging as the practical tests.