Notre Dame vs BYU Prediction: Are the Irish Really This Good?

Notre Dame is ripping through its schedule like it’s on a mission. For a program that’s living by a “Leave No Doubt” mantra, it’s going out and doing just that each and every week.Yeah, it’s on a 16-game run of double-digit wins – Army has the record with 21 in a row from 1944 to 1946 – but it’s more than that. Out of the 49 wins in the Marcus Freeman era, just six were by fewer than ten points.One of them was 28-20 over BYU in 2022.The Cougars are also on a revenge tour. Like Notre Dame, BYU has a claim to being deserving of a College Football Playoff spot last year, finishing 12-2, with the only two losses coming to Texas Tech. Beat Notre Dame, and it’ll leave no doubt that it’s worthy of being in the tournament this season.Notre Dame vs BYU: Quick HitsBYU jumps back into Big 12 play next week, going to UCF. However, this is the middle of a run of three home games in four weeks before going to Utah.Notre Dame gets a week off before facing Navy in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and then … Miami.This is the tenth time these two have met, with Notre Dame going 7-2.How To Watch Notre Dame vs BYUDate: Saturday, October 17, 2026Game Time: 7:30 PM ETTV: ABCLocation: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT– CFN Week 7 Schedule, Predictions– CFN Top 25 | Bowl Projections– Predictions For Every Remaining Game– CFN Week 7 Expert PicksWhy Notre Dame Will WinThe lines are by far the best in the Marcus Freeman era.The offensive front has allowed two sacks and 13 tackles for loss in six games. The defensive line has allowed just one rushing score, and no one has passed the 80-yard mark. BYU has to somehow get its ground attack going, and get pressure on CJ Carr, and not just hold its own up front, but win the battles.Oct 9, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up prior to a game against the Iowa State Cyclones at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn ImagesWhy BYU Will WinNotre Dame hasn’t faced a lick of adversity.It was a close game at halftime against Wisconsin, and North Carolina kept it close, but … nah. What happens when Carr starts to get popped? What happens when Bear Bachmeier and the Cougar ground game get physical and keep the chains moving?And what happens when the BYU offensive line that’s No. 1 in the nation in tackles for loss allowed doesn’t let Notre Dame dominate in the backfield? What happens when Bachmeier hits 70% of his passes and takes what the Irish give him?BYU is really that good.Notre Dame vs BYU Prediction, Betting LinesAs it turns out, Wisconsin is pretty good. It hasn’t lost since the opening weekend against the Irish. As it turns out, Purdue is pretty good. It beat both Illinois and Minnesota after getting blown out by Notre Dame 49-10, and the other losses were to a fantastic Wake Forest team in overtime and an unbeaten UCLA.In other words, Notre Dame has played a decent schedule, and it ruthlessly ripped everyone to shreds. It’ll take about 40 minutes of game time, and then the Irish will show why it really might be the best team in college football as the offensive line starts to dictate the tempo.Notre Dame 30, BYU 17Latest Consensus Line: BYU -10.5, o/u: 46.5ATS Confidence (out of 5): 2Must See Rating (out of 5): 5Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.