Notre Dame vs. BYU Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest CFB Odds for Saturday, October 17th
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take their perfect record to Provo for a top-10 showdown against the undefeated BYU Cougars. Can Bear Bachmeier and BYU protect LaVell Edwards Stadium against CJ Carr and a Notre Dame team riding a 16-game winning streak? Check out this Notre Dame vs. BYU prediction and best bet for Saturday, October 17.
Peter Alexis - October 17, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT
5 Minute ReadNotre Dame vs. BYU Prediction: Can Cougars Surprise Stacked Irish in Top-10 Showdown on Saturday Night?
No. 2 Notre Dame visits No. 8 BYU for a 7:30 PM ET kickoff on ABC in one of the biggest games ever hosted at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Both teams enter undefeated, with Notre Dame at 6-0 and BYU sitting 5-0 and 3-0 in Big 12 play.
College GameDay will also be in Provo for only the second time, creating one of the most significant home-field environments of the season. Notre Dame is still laying 10.5 points despite BYU's unbeaten record and consecutive victories over TCU and Iowa State.
Notre Dame vs. BYU Recent Results
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-0)
Notre Dame overwhelmed Stanford 58-7 last Saturday, producing 600 total yards and 361 on the ground. Freshman Jonaz Walton rushed for 181 yards on only 13 attempts, including a 97-yard touchdown.
The Irish have now won 16 consecutive games dating back to last season. Their six victories this year include margins of 28 over Wisconsin, 52 over Rice, 17 over Michigan State, 39 at Purdue, 11 at North Carolina and 51 over Stanford.
CJ Carr has given Notre Dame stability at quarterback while the rushing attack has become increasingly dominant. Walton, Nolan James Jr. and the rest of the backfield prevent defenses from devoting too much attention to the passing game.
The defense has been equally impressive. Notre Dame has allowed 66 total points through six games and held four opponents to 13 or fewer.
BYU Cougars (5-0), (3-0 Big 12)
BYU remained unbeaten with a 24-10 victory over Iowa State last Friday. The final score undersells how thoroughly the Cougars controlled the matchup.
BYU outgained Iowa State 506-200. Bear Bachmeier threw for a season-high 329 yards and two touchdowns while adding a career-best 109 rushing yards.
That performance was a massive step forward from a weather-affected 17-10 victory at TCU, where Bachmeier threw for only 62 yards but rushed for 66 and both BYU touchdowns. The two games demonstrate how many different ways the Cougars can win.
BYU's defense has also become the foundation of its unbeaten start. The Cougars held Iowa State to 200 yards and have repeatedly prevented opponents from sustaining long scoring drives.
Notre Dame vs. BYU Head to Head
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 7-2 and has won four consecutive meetings.
- October 8, 2022: Notre Dame 28, BYU 20
- November 23, 2013: Notre Dame 23, BYU 13
- October 20, 2012: Notre Dame 17, BYU 14
- October 22, 2005: Notre Dame 49, BYU 23
BYU's last victory came in Provo in 2004, when the Cougars beat Notre Dame 20-17.
Saturday is the first matchup between the programs played at LaVell Edwards Stadium in more than two decades, giving the series a much different setting from the neutral-site meeting in Las Vegas four years ago.
Notre Dame vs. BYU Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah
- How to Watch: ABC
Notre Dame vs. BYU Odds
- Spread: Notre Dame -10.5 (-110), BYU +10.5 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 46.5 (-112), Under 46.5 (-108)
- Moneyline: Notre Dame (-395), BYU (+310)
Click here for the latest Auburn vs. Georgia Odds
Notre Dame vs. BYU Line Movement and Betting Splits
Notre Dame has remained a double-digit road favorite throughout most of the buildup, with the market generally sitting around -10.5 to -11.
The spread betting is remarkably balanced considering Notre Dame's dominance. BYU is currently receiving approximately 52% of tickets and 54% of the handle at +10.5.
Moneyline bettors are much more comfortable with Notre Dame, which has attracted approximately 80% of individual wagers. BYU still owns nearly 30% of the moneyline handle despite only one-fifth of the tickets.
Notre Dame vs. BYU Prediction
Notre Dame deserves to be favored. The Irish have dominated almost everyone, can run the football with multiple backs and possess a defense capable of forcing BYU into exactly the type of long third downs it wants to avoid.
The issue is the size of the number. BYU is undefeated, playing at home in a top-10 night game and catching more than 10 points. That creates a significant margin for error even if Notre Dame ultimately remains perfect.
Bachmeier is the biggest reason BYU can stay attached. His 329 passing yards and 109 rushing yards against Iowa State showed a dual-threat ceiling that makes it difficult for defenses to simply win with coverage. Notre Dame has to account for the quarterback as part of the rushing game on every important down.
The low total makes +10.5 even more appealing. With only 46.5 combined points expected, BYU is receiving nearly a quarter of the projected game total in spread value. A 27-20 or 30-21 Notre Dame victory is still a Cougars cover.
Notre Dame's rushing attack remains the biggest danger. If Walton and James consistently create five to six yards before contact, the Irish can control possession and eventually wear down BYU's front without exposing Carr to pressure.
BYU has shown enough defensively to believe that process will be difficult. The Cougars just held Iowa State to 200 total yards and reached 5-0 despite playing different styles in consecutive weeks.
The environment matters as well. College GameDay, a top-10 ranking and a primetime ABC kickoff should produce one of the loudest crowds Notre Dame sees all year. The Irish have plenty of experience in major games, but creating double-digit separation is different from simply surviving.
Notre Dame vs. BYU Best Bet
- Best Bet: BYU +10.5 (-110) Check out these best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Notre Dame is the more complete team and could absolutely extend its winning streak, but an undefeated top-10 opponent getting double digits at home is difficult to pass up.
Bachmeier's dual-threat ability, BYU's defense and the low total all create paths to a competitive fourth quarter. Notre Dame can leave Provo with a significant road victory without covering 10.5.
More College Football Odds
Affiliate Disclosure.
We are not a gambling or betting operator, but we receive a commission from these companies when we advertise their brands and refer customers to them (affiliate marketing). We provide information, odds information and links to websites of these companies. Some of the information made available on our site may be positioned as a result of a commission paid to us by a third party. We do not take or place bets/transactions and any information on Our Products is provided for entertainment purposes only.
