Notre Dame Tests Season Record Against Undefeated BYU

Clear Facts

• Notre Dame enters the matchup with a 6-0 record but has yet to face a ranked opponent this season.
• BYU remains unbeaten and ranks eighth nationally with a schedule that includes a win over Iowa State.
• Oddsmakers have trimmed the game total to 46.5 points and list Notre Dame as an 11.5-point favorite on the road.

Rankings in college football can be misleading. Strength of schedule matters when determining which teams truly deserve top-ten placement.

Notre Dame has compiled a 6-0 record by defeating Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, Purdue, North Carolina, and Stanford. None of those programs currently rank among the nation’s top 25.

Beating up on teams that will combine to have a losing record isn’t exactly a major accomplishment.

Quarterback CJ Carr has thrown for 1,378 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those numbers look less impressive when compared to Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, who has posted 1,772 yards and 17 scores against tougher competition.

BYU arrives in South Bend with an identical 6-0 mark and the top record in the Big 12. The Cougars have already defeated Iowa State and sit eighth in the polls.

Take him out of the game, and the team has three guys with over 20 carries, averaging over five yards per carry and seven touchdowns.

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier leads BYU’s balanced offense, completing more than 65 percent of his passes for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns while adding four rushing scores.

Betting markets expect a lower-scoring contest. The total has dropped from 54.5 to 46.5, and the spread opened at Notre Dame minus 11.5.

The author selects BYU plus 10.5, citing the Cougars’ defense and their ability to run the football effectively.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.