No. 2 Notre Dame visits No. 8 BYU on Saturday, October 17, for a top-10 showdown in Week 7 of the college football season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at LaVell Edwards Stadium, with the Fighting Irish listed as 10.5-point road favorites and the total at 46.5 points. Our Notre Dame vs. BYU best picks and predictions examine the matchup, spread and over/under as the Cougars look to challenge the Irish in Provo.
- More NCAAF Betting Advice
- Expert Game Picks for College Football
- Top Bettor Picks for College Football
- NCAAF Betting Strategy
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
Saturday’s Best Week 7 College Football Picks: Notre Dame vs. BYU
Week 6 of the 2026 college football season featured some incredible performances. Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell nailed a 47-yard field goal as time expired to upset No. 1 Texas 27-24. Missouri running back Jamal Roberts racked up 230 total yards and two touchdowns in a 27-6 victory over Texas A&M. The focus now shifts to a Week 7 slate packed with intriguing storylines and ranked programs in action. Here's a look at my favorite college football picks for Saturday's game Notre Dame vs. BYU.
No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No. 8 BYU Cougars
There has never been a top-10 battle played at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. That will change on Saturday when Notre Dame and BYU face off. It’ll also mark the first time either of these teams has taken on a ranked opponent in 2026. The Fighting Irish have cruised to a 6-0 record, most recently crushing Stanford 58-7 on the back of quarterback CJ Carr’s three touchdowns. The Cougars boast a 5-0 record for the third straight season thanks to their 24-10 victory over Iowa State in Week 6.
Defense has been the key to these undefeated squads’ success. Notre Dame is conceding the fewest yards per game (214), second-fewest points per game (11) and fourth-fewest yards per play (3.9) in all of college football. BYU follows closely behind, surrendering the 11th-fewest yards per game (272), 10th-fewest points per game (15) and 10th-fewest yards per play (4.4) in the sport. Shutting down opposing offenses is a pivotal strength, no matter the level of competition on the schedule.
I’ll avoid picking a side here, and instead target the under. Fewer than 48 points have been scored in three of the last five meetings between the Fighting Irish and the Cougars. It’s worth noting that the under has cashed in eight of BYU’s 10 contests against ranked opponents since 2023. Bank on stars like Notre Dame All-American cornerback Leonard Moore (four passes defended) and BYU standout linebacker Cade Uluave (team-high 26 tackles) stepping up in a low-scoring thriller.
Pick: Under 47.5 Points (-110)
