Boasting a prolific backfield and a veteran defense, the playoff-bound Cougars represent a brutal environment in Provo that will push Marcus Freeman’s squad to its absolute limit.
Many believe that BYU will be the second toughest test of the season for Notre Dame in 2026. I tend to agree, and I'm sure we can all agree that the Cougars will be far and away the toughest road test for the Irish this upcoming season. We've talked a lot about what Notre Dame needs from their schedule this year outside of Miami holding serve and being the class of the ACC, which I'm confident will happen.
With Texas Tech going through some offseason drama, BYU is now the consensus favorite to win the conference and it makes sense. In the last two seasons, head coach Kalani Sitake has led them to a 23-4 record. They've only had three conference losses the last two seasons and last year their second conference loss came in the title game.
They were another team, along with the Irish, who felt like they deserved a playoff spot above Alabama but ended up being left out. There's a lot of buzz around Provo that the Cougars could end up being a playoff team this season and I don't think that's a stretch. Irish Breakdown ranked them as a Top 10 team in our Post-Spring Top 25 rankings, and they're considered a Top 20 team by USA Today, FOX Sports, ESPN, Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.
A big reason around the confidence in BYU this season is what they return in the backfield. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier returns along with running back LJ Martin who is one of the best returning ball carriers in the country. Last season, they combined for 1,832 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. Bachmeier also added 3,033 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes and seven interceptions.
Their offensive line also remains intact with center Bruce Mitchell, right guard Kyle Sfarcioc and right tackle Andrew Gentry all coming back. They took a blow at receiver with Parker Kingston's impending suspension, but they still have JoJo Phillips coming back and they brought in tight end Walker Lyons from USC who Bachmeier is building chemistry with this offseason.
Defensively, they return seven starters from last year's team headlined by safety Faletau Satuala who was the team's leading tackler in 2025. He also recorded four passes defended and three interceptions. Both starting cornerbacks return as well with Evan Johnson and Therrian Alexander III back in the lineup. They also return two linebacker and two defensive lineman. They're also bringing in California transfer Cade Uluave who was a tackling machine for the Golden Bears in 2025 recording 97 tackles and 3.0 sacks.
One of the biggest difficulties BYU poses to Notre Dame is the timing of their game. The Cougars are a really good football team and one that could make the playoffs as the Big 12 bid, and I don't want this to sound like the only reason this game will be tough is timing, but that is a factor.
Up until the Irish play BYU, they play Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, Purdue on the road, North Carolina on the road, and Stanford at home. Their trip out to Provo will be the best team and the hardest road environment this team has played since they played Pitt back in November of 2025. This will be a much needed test for head coach Marcus Freeman and the 2026 football team. If they look like what we think they could coming out of this game, the rest of their slate starts to lineup very well.
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