No. 2 Notre Dame Visits Undefeated No. 8 BYU

Undefeated No. 8 BYU hosts No. 2 Notre Dame in Provo in a nationally televised top-10 matchup with major College Football Playoff stakes. ESPN’s College GameDay is broadcasting from BYU, which could strengthen its playoff résumé with a win through the Big 12 title race or an at-large bid; Notre Dame, an independent, also has much at stake. BYU will need a strong performance from quarterback Bear Bachmeier against Notre Dame’s highly regarded defense, and running back LJ Martin is out. The game is the teams’ first in Provo since BYU’s 20-17 win in 2004, and it draws added attention to the schools’ Catholic and Latter-day Saint traditions.