BYU football: Gameday glance vs. Notre Dame, looking to end ND's hopes for National Championship

BYU (4-3) at No. 5 Notre Dame (6-0)

SATURDAY, 1:30 p.m. MT

Notre Dame Stadium (80,795)

Natural grass, South Bend, Ind.

TV: NBC

Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM

Weather: Temps in the 50s, with a 30 percent chance of rain

The Stakes

For Notre Dame ... The Fighting Irish are off to their best start since 2002, and ranked No. 5. A loss to BYU would end any dreams of playing for a national championship.

For BYU ... The Cougars are playing a top-10 team for the second consecutive week — for the first time in school history — and looking to bounce back on a big stage.

The Trends

For Notre Dame ... The Fighting Irish have been ranked in the top 10 in four of seven meetings with BYU. Notre Dame hasn't surrendered a touchdown in four games.

For BYU ... The Cougars are 1-3 against Notre Dame in South Bend, with the lone victory coming in 1994. The last time the Cougars beat a top-5 team was three years ago with a victory over Oklahoma.

The Edge

Notre Dame will win if ... The Irish can continue its streak of not giving up a touchdown and establish a running game.

BYU will win if ... The Cougars can avoid turnovers, and return to playing defense the way it did before giving up five touchdowns to Oregon State.

Player to Watch

Riley Nelson, BYU: Last week, Nelson short-circuited drives by throwing three interceptions. He needs to play mistake-free football against the tough, opportunistic Notre Dame defense.

Key Matchup

BYU'S offense vs. Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o: Te'o is among the nation's leaders in tackles and wreaks havoc for opposing offenses. The Cougar offense must know where Te'o is on every play.

Injury Report

Notre Dame: Quarterback Everett Golson (concussion) was cleared to practice mid-week.

BYU: Safety Mike Hague (calf) is doubtful for today's game.

Next Up

On Oct. 27, Notre Dame visits Oklahoma, while BYU travels to Georgia Tech (1 p.m. MT)

Schedule

Date. . .Opponent. . .Time/result

Aug. 30. . .Washington State. . .W, 30-6

Sept. 8. . .Weber State. . .W, 45-13

Sept. 15. . .at Utah. . .L, 24-21

Sept. 20. . .at Boise State. . .L, 7-6

Sept. 28. . .Hawaii. . .W, 47-0

Oct. 5. . .Utah State. . .W, 6-3

Oct. 13. . .Oregon State. . .L, 42-24

Oct. 20. . .at Notre Dame. . .1:30 p.m.

Oct. 27. . .at Georgia Tech. . .1 p.m.

Nov. 10. . .Idaho. . .TBA

Nov. 17. . .at San Jose State. . .2 p.m.

Nov. 24. . .at New Mexico St.. . .1:30 p.m.