Provo is about to sit at the center of the college football map, and BYU’s showdown with No. 2 Notre Dame already has one major piece in place. ESPN’s “College GameDay” is coming to campus Saturday, and this time the show will set up on the lawn at Heritage Halls on the east side of BYU’s campus.
That’s a different feel from the usual spot. In the past, the west parking lot of LaVell Edwards Stadium has been the familiar home base for both Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” and “GameDay.” Heritage Halls should give the broadcast a more classic campus backdrop.
The bigger question still hanging out there: who gets the guest picker spot?
There’s no shortage of BYU-connected names to work with, and a few stand out more than others.
Rudy Ruettiger is an obvious one, even if the fit comes with a twist. Yes, the same Rudy from “Rudy” is a Notre Dame legend.
But he’s also a Latter-day Saint, having converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2017. He’s also said he’s been impressed with what BYU coach Kalani Sitake has done with the Cougars.
Another natural choice is Steve Young. He’s a Cougar legend and former ESPN analyst, which makes the connection easy to see. The only potential wrinkle is whether there’s any lingering tension after ESPN laid him off in 2023.
Jimmer Fredette would bring instant buzz, too. It has been 15 years since Jimmermania took over, and he can still command attention.
Then there’s Ken Jennings, the “Jeopardy!” star turned host who double-majored at BYU.
ESPN’s corporate parent, Disney, is also one of the game show’s partners, which only strengthens the case. And there’s a little extra entertainment value in the idea of Jennings being the one taking swings at picks instead of answers.
Brandon Sanderson is another name that makes sense. Jennings’ former BYU roommate might pull in a different kind of audience, but not necessarily a small one. The best-selling Utah author has his own reach, and even San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama is a fan.
Rylee Arnold would also give the segment some crossover appeal. The Provo native is a ballroom pro on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” and she’s dating BYU tight end Walker Lyons.
Ryan Smith belongs in the mix, too. The owner of the Jazz and Mammoth has shown he likes the national stage and has been a regular on “The Pat McAfee Show,” so a “GameDay” appearance would fit right into his orbit.
And if ESPN wants to keep digging, the options keep coming: Andy Reid, Fred Warner, Taysom Hill, Danny Ainge.
Meanwhile, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier had his own Notre Dame connection to navigate. At one point, he might have felt a little pull toward the Irish, especially with a grandfather who was firmly on that side.
“My grandpa is actually a diehard Notre Dame fan,” said Bachmeier, who grew up Catholic. “But I’m a Coog. … Go blue, let’s go.”
His fandom didn’t always lean that way, either.
“I was kind of a Boise State fan because I played NCAA and I’d always set the field to the blue field.”
Then his older brother Hank went to Boise State, and that only deepened it for a while.
Notre Dame did recruit him, Bachmeier said, but his grandfather’s loyalty clearly didn’t change his own decision. For BYU, that ended up being the important part.
In Other News...
Notre Dame Just Got Fresh Bulletin Board Material Before BYU
With Notre Dame preparing for BYU, the Cougars have already started framing the matchup around the challenge of slowing down freshman quarterback CJ Carr. Linebacker Jake Clifton spoke ahead of the game and made it clear that BYU intends to bring heat, talking about a plan to make Carr uncomfortable and lean on a physical style that will put the Irish offensive line in focus.
Clifton also balanced that edge with respect for Notre Dames program and the players wearing the blue and gold, treating the game like another step on the schedule even as the rhetoric sharpened. For Notre Dame, though, comments like that are exactly the kind that can linger in a locker room and add a little extra energy to a game already carrying plenty of attention. [Read more 🡒]
CJ Carr Is Forcing BYU To Rethink How It Defends Notre Dame
Ahead of Notre Dames meeting with BYU, Cougars defensive coordinator Brady Poppinga laid out the challenge of trying to slow CJ Carr, and it starts long before the ball is snapped. Poppinga said the plan has to be about creating confusion for the Irish quarterback, because Carr has shown the kind of arm strength and field awareness that can punish a defense if it gives him a clean pre-snap picture.
Carrs rise has forced opponents to treat Notre Dames passing game with extra caution, especially when he can extend plays and find answers both from the pocket and outside of it. Through this season, he has completed 70% of his passes with 16 touchdowns and one interception, a line that helps explain why BYU is approaching him as more than just another young quarterback on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame's Rushing Surge Faces Its Biggest Test Yet
Notre Dames ground game has started to look like the kind of calling card that can travel, with the offensive line giving the Irish more push in recent weeks and right tackle Guerby Lambert emerging as a key part of that climb. The improvement has come from the kind of work coaches love to point to but fans only notice when it shows up on Saturdays - cleaner execution, better timing and a front that is beginning to work more as one unit.
BYU should provide a much sharper read on how real that progress is. The Cougars bring a defensive front that has been among the nations best at limiting rushing yards, which means the Irish line will have to carry its recent form into a far tougher setting. Lambert has stressed the need for practice, preparation and cohesion, and this matchup figures to reveal whether Notre Dames surge is a step forward or just a strong stretch against lesser resistance. [Read more 🡒]