Notre Dame and BYU college football matchup

A top-10 college football matchup between undefeated No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 8 BYU took place on October 17, 2026. The event was preceded by ESPN’s College GameDay broadcasting live from BYU’s campus in Provo, marking the program’s first visit to the location since 2009.

The broadcast featured discussions regarding both football and religious faith. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake shared personal testimonies regarding his faith in Jesus Christ, while host Pat McAfee engaged with the university’s religious context by reading from the Book of Mormon on air. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided additional context via social media regarding family history and the relationship between the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

In the game, BYU secured a 28-24 upset victory over Notre Dame. Following the win, Pat McAfee and former BYU quarterback Steve Young discussed the atmosphere in Provo. Young praised BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier for his performance, noting his readiness and ability to impact the game.