Notre Dame's Season Credibility Is On The Line Against BYU

Notre Dame’s 2026 schedule features a notable gap: the Irish won’t face a ranked opponent until Game Seven. That quirk has helped them rise to No. 2 in the polls while winning all six games so far against unranked opposition. With the team standing at 6-0, the writer says the program now needs a genuine test, and Saturday’s matchup vs. BYU is framed as the moment to prove the credibility behind the ranking. The article points to last year’s two biggest losses, Notre Dame’s decision to opt out of a lower-tier bowl where BYU was the opponent, and the need for a first top-ten road win since 2012. It also argues BYU’s culture and resilience could make the Cougars harder than their roster reputation, and that Notre Dame’s playoff odds could be threatened by a loss before games that include Miami.