Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs BYU Cougars Predictions October 17, 2026
Notre Dame will beat BYU, with a projected score of Notre Dame 31, BYU 21. The Irish’s explosive rushing performance against Stanford and BYU’s loss of leading rusher LJ Martin give Notre Dame the edge. However, BYU’s recent defensive showing and Bear Bachmeier’s production make the supplied spread a demanding assignment. Neither market offers a strong enough betting advantage; the official recommendation is Pass.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs BYU Cougars prediction and best bet
Notre Dame gets the pick because its latest win showed several ways to generate points: long scoring runs, touchdown passes and defensive takeaways. Martin’s absence adds a personnel advantage for the Irish, although BYU’s win over Iowa State shows the Cougars still have a productive offensive centerpiece in Bachmeier.
The best betting decision is Pass. Notre Dame -12.5 (-110) requires more than a road victory, and BYU’s combination of quarterback production and defensive resistance makes that margin uncomfortable. The forecast favors Notre Dame outright with medium confidence, but neither the spread nor the total earns an official wager.
Odds, game time and how to watch
Game: Notre Dame Fighting Irish at BYU Cougars, 2026 college football season.
Time: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. MDT / 7:30 p.m. ET.
Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah.
Broadcast: ABC.
Records and rankings: Notre Dame is 6-0 and ranked No. 3; BYU is 5-0 and ranked No. 8 in BYU Athletics’ Oct. 10 matchup announcement.
SportsJaw odds: Notre Dame -12.5 (-110), BYU +12.5 (-110). Moneyline: Notre Dame -490, BYU +375. Total: Over 49.5 (-108), Under 49.5 (-112).