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Notre Dame marches into Provo unbeaten and ranked No. 2, chasing a 17th straight win in a streak built almost entirely on double-digit margins. BYU, meanwhile, gets a shot at history of its own: this is the first time the Cougars have hosted a top-10 opponent at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Both teams enter Saturday without a loss, which makes this one of the headline matchups of the entire college football weekend. Here’s a quick read on where the smart money sits before kickoff. Before we start, check our Kalshi review, grab a Kalshi promo code before trading, and download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the BYU Cougars in Provo, Utah. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Here’s my Notre Dame vs. BYU prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Notre Dame vs BYU Prediction
- Notre Dame vs. BYU Pick: Notre Dame -10.5
My BYU vs. Notre Dame pick is Notre Dame -10.5. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Notre Dame vs BYU Odds
- Notre Dame vs BYU point spread: Notre Dame 10.5 51¢
- Notre Dame vs BYU over/under: 47.5
- Notre Dame vs BYU moneyline: Notre Dame 79¢, BYU 22¢
Notre Dame vs BYU College Football Preview
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction Market Preview:
Notre Dame hasn’t lost since last November, and the current 16-game streak has come almost entirely by double digits. CJ Carr gives the offense a steady hand, but it’s the defense that travels best; Marcus Freeman’s group ranks among the nation’s toughest against the run, a problem for a BYU team already missing two key backs. A trip to Provo is rarely simple, yet this Irish team has faced little real adversity through six games.
BYU Cougars Prediction Market Preview:
BYU is unbeaten too, but its depth at running back has taken a hit, with Sione Moa out for the season and LJ Martin sidelined by a leg injury. Bear Bachmeier has kept the offense moving regardless, backing up a strong start to Big 12 play with 300 yards through the air and another 100 on the ground in last week’s win over Iowa State. Hosting a top-two opponent for the first time in program history is new territory, and the Cougars’ defense will need a near-perfect night to keep this one within reach.
Notre Dame vs BYU Pick, Prediction Market Analysis
With LJ Martin limited and Sione Moa out for the year, BYU’s offense leans more heavily on Bear Bachmeier than it would with a full backfield, and that tends to slow a team down rather than speed it up. Notre Dame’s defense, meanwhile, has been stingy all season and figures to make every yard difficult for a Cougars team already missing some of its ground-game punch. A double-digit Irish win doesn’t require a track meet to get there: if anything, the matchup points toward a slower, more controlled pace than the total suggests.
Pick: Under 47.5
