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Notre Dame's defense has been elite through the first six games of the 2026 season. They currently rank 7th in the country in points allowed, 1st in the country in yards allowed, 4th in the country in rushing yards allowed, 14th in the country in passing yards allowed and 4th in the country in turnovers gained. Defensive coordinator Chris Ash has this unit humming on all cylinders with a minor hiccup against the North Carolina offense. 

This weekend, they have their biggest test to date going against the BYU offense that ranks 1st in the country in tackles for loss allowed, 7th in the country in 3rd down conversion rate, 8th in the country in yards per rush and 34th in the country in rushes of 20 yards or more. This is a talented, cohesive Cougar offense that has shown the ability under quarterback Bear Bachmeier to grind out the tough yards, put games away and get the job done. These are the four key matchups Notre Dame will have to win Saturday night. 

THE DEFENSIVE LINE

Similar to the offensive side of the ball, it feels lazy to just put 'the defensive line' as the first thing to watch. But I firmly believe this is going to be a matchup that's won in the trenches. So far this season, Notre Dame's defense line has played like the unit we believed it would in the preseason. They've showcased their ability to stop the run with a host of interior players and dominant edge play from Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young and a handful of key rotational players. All of the work the defensive line has put in through the first six games of the season will be put to the test this weekend against the Cougars. 

Matchup To Watch: 

BYU is a different test for the Fighting Irish defensive line and has built an identity around their offensive line despite a key injury to right tackle Andrew Gentry. They do an exceptional job of not allowing negatives ranking 7th in the country in sacks allowed and 1st in the country in tackles for loss allowed. Establishing the line of scrimmage in this game will be crucial for each opponent. Every other matchup I talk about in this article will be moot if the defensive line doesn't win the battle in the trenches. 

LB DRAYK BOWEN 

Senior captain and middle linebacker Drayk Bowen has been exactly who we thought he was going to be this season. He's one of their most dominant run defenders, currently leads the team in tackles with 30 and is the heart and soul of the Fighting Irish defense. This weekend, he'll have to be the leader we know him to be when they travel to a raucous environment in Provo, Utah. BYU has done a tremendous job of establishing the rushing attack despite running back LJ Martin being sidelined with an injury. Bowen's impact will be felt this weekend with one of his premier tasks being against their 6-2, 230-pound quarterback. 

Matchup To Watch: Bowen's matchup with Bachmeier is two-fold. First, it's going to be their impact at the line of scrimmage. The Indiana native has shown a tremendous ability to get the defense in the correct alignment late into the play clock. Meanwhile, Bachmeier is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the Big 12 despite only being a sophomore. The second matchup between Bowen and Bachmeier will be Bowen's ability to limit or stop Bachmeier's legs. Notre Dame has faced mobile quarterbacks in the past, but Bachmeier is a different beast, literally. There's going to be some big-time collisions between No. 34 and No. 47. 

NB CHRISTIAN GRAY  

It's been a relatively quiet season for nickel corner Christian Gray, which in the line of a defensive back, is not a bad thing. The St. Louis native moved inside to the slot earlier in the offseason and has started every game in the slot for the Irish. After two years of playing to the field, the 6-0, 196-pound corner has made a name for himself inside. Gray has been strong against the run and hasn't allowed that glaring big play touchdown like we saw from him at the field in 2025. The move has proven to be a successful one, but he's going to be tested this weekend. 

Matchup To Watch: With Martin out in the backfield, freshman wide out Legend Glasker has become their most explosive offensive weapon. The 6-1, 175-pound speedster from Lehi, Utah is the team's leading receiver with 19 receptions, 378 yards and three touchdowns. He averages 19.9 yards per catch and does his best work from the slot. Gray is going to get tested this weekend and likely tested early. He's faced quality players in the slot through the first six games, but the explosive plays on offense for BYU are built around Glasker and his ability to stretch the defense. 

THE SAFETIES

It's been an interesting season for the Notre Dame safeties. Junior Brauntae Johnson was injured in the first half of the Wisconsin game and hasn't been back on the field since. Senior captain Adon Shuler has had a tough two-week stretch while senior Luke Talich has been their best safety in 2026. Freshman Joey O'Brien has been an absolute force, when he's on the field and is put into the rotation, but this room remains talented nonetheless. The performance of the safeties, as a room, hasn't been bad by any means, it's just been a weird season for this experienced, long and talented room. Saturday night, they'll be tested once again. 

Matchup To Watch: This is a two-fold matchup for the Notre Dame safeties. First and foremost, their impact against the run has to be felt. It's been a rough two weeks for Shuler, but this is a get-right game in many ways for the New Jersey native. Second, tight ends the past two weeks have been able to get the Fighting Irish safeties in the pass game. BYU tight end Walker Lyons has shown his ability to be impactful in the pass game. Notre Dame's safeties will have to prevent him from becoming a compliment to Glasker in the pass game and not allow Lyons to get going. 

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