TV/radio:
2:30 p.m. Saturday; WMAQ-Ch. 5, WLS-AM 890.
Line:
Notre Dame by 13.
Records:
BYU 4-3; Notre Dame 6-0.
Last meeting:
Notre Dame won 49-23 on Oct. 22, 2005 in the Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas.
ON THE OFFENSIVE:
BYU has the nation’s No. 3 run defense, allowing just 2.23 yards per carry, and averages 7.7 tackles-for-loss per game. But who have the Cougars played? Coach Brian Kelly says it will be a game-time decision on whether to start Tommy Rees or Everett Golson (concussion) at quarterback.
GETTING DEFENSIVE:
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If senior QB Riley Nelson rediscovers his form, the Irish may encounter trouble. Otherwise he will give DBs Bennett Jackson and Matthias Farley chances to make game-turning plays on mistake throws.
THE NUMBER:
10. Number of TE Tyler Eifert’s 15 receptions that have produced a first down or touchdown for Notre Dame.
THE TALK:
It might be the sternest test of Notre Dame’s focus and energy yet. A game sandwiched between an emotional victory and a mammoth road showdown at Oklahoma, at the end of a week with no classes and no one around, has letdown potential.
BRIAN HAMILTON’S PICK:
Maybe the fifth-ranked Irish get off to a sluggish start. Maybe it’s not aesthetically pleasing at certain points. But it won’t be a trap Notre Dame falls into, stunting BCS hopes.
Notre Dame 27-10