Golden Dome Column: Notre Dame Can Silence The Haters With Win Over BYU

Earlier this week on ESPN, analyst Kirk Herbstreit expressed how he really felt about Notre Dame's schedule this 2026 campaign as he called it "embarrassing." His exact words. While there are other playoff contenders in the top ten of the AP Poll that have easier schedules than the Irish (Indiana and Miami), the team has it's first real big test as they travel to Provo, Utah to take on Brigham Young University. BYU is ranked eighth this year and look to give Notre Dame it's first loss of the season. This might be a scary one for the Irish, but it will also prove a lot about them in this contest.

Notre Dame has seemingly handled all the competition thus far, yes even against North Carolina, but BYU has a high powered offense that could make any defense sweat. That being said, on the other hand, the Irish have a pretty good offense themselves. What might have to happen is to establish the running game early letting Nolan James, Aneyas Williams, and Jonaz Walton get going as they make a pretty lethal trio. Then, CJ Carr should be able to make some reads and pass the ball with ease as that will throw BYU's defense off. But that's a pretty good team on the other side, they aren't ranked eighth for nothing.

If the Irish can take this game, it will silence the naysayers and the haters. Heck, beating Wisconsin by as much as they did and how that side has turned out to be pretty good this year, it says a lot. The Notre Dame haters have no idea how beneficial this game is for both. The Irish get a quality opponent on their schedule, while BYU can prove they deserve to be talked amongst the big dogs. It's fair to say both schools got the short end of the stick last year for the playoffs (especially our very beloved squad), so if this is a measuring stick for both sides, so be it.

The Irish are well balanced to beat BYU. Notre Dame's defense is sound and the offense is scarier than one thought in the preseason. Again, BYU cannot be taken lightly as their offense is potent enough for them to win. It's also a home game for BYU, even bigger of an advantage for them as it will be loud and the fans will know the importance of this matchup.

This game is also very even, to a degree, as BYU's defense is top ten, and their offensive line is very good. The offense for BYU is also going to be lacking running back LJ Martin, which is a very key cog of their scheme. That could be the difference.

I think you get the picture. BYU is very good. They deserve to be in this position. The team will give the Irish a very hard time in what seems to be the best game of the week. The point being is that after everything that happened at the end of 2025, Marcus Freeman agreeing to not participate in a bowl game after getting snubbed from the playoffs, and frankly being on a revenge tour, this is the perfect opportunity to not only shut certain people up, but to prove they deserve to be there. This legitimately could be the best Notre Dame side ever assembled and it's only going to get better. If the Irish can beat BYU, which I believe they can be as the team seems to be so well balanced and deep, then it just proves so much. If a win here doesn't impress the AP or Coaches poll and the dweebs like Herbstreit, then it not only shows their ignorance, but it also allows Notre Dame to have a little more fuel to the fire to just keep proving people wrong once again.