No. 8 BYU and No. 2 Notre Dame are both getting what they wished for

Memory lane at BYU is decorated in big moments, but not like the one that is coming. Saturday’s showdown in Provo between No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 8 BYU (5:30 p.m. MDT, ABC) is unlike anything the Cougars have ever seen before — and they have seen a lot.

In 1980, Jim McMahon beat SMU 46-45 on a game-ending Hail Mary pass to Clay Brown.

In 1984, Robbie Bosco limped back into the game to throw a game-winning touchdown pass to Kelly Smith to beat Michigan 24-17 and secure BYU’s first national championship.

In 1990, Ty Detmer mesmerized No. 1 Miami 28-21 in a precursor to winning the program’s only Heisman Trophy.

In 2006, John Beck ruined Utah’s day when he hit Jonny Harline in the end zone as time expired to shock the Utes 33-31 in Salt Lake City.

In 2009, Max Hall found McKay Jacobson open in the back of the end zone late in the fourth quarter to stun No. 3 Oklahoma 14-13 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

In 2019, Zach Wilson connected with Micah Simon on a 63-yard bomb to set up game-tying field goal as time expired at Tennessee. The Cougars went on to win in double-overtime 29-26 in front of 92,475 fans.

In 2022, Jaren Hall threw a touchdown and caught a touchdown to lead BYU past No. 9 Baylor 26-20 in double-overtime at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Whether your seat was in the stadium or on the couch, there has been plenty to see and it’s provided conversation fodder for years. But nothing like this — a top-10 showdown at LaVell Edwards Stadium on the biggest platform college football has to offer — ABC in prime time and preceded by ESPN’s “College GameDay” — all live in Provo.

The Big One is here and both teams are getting what they wished for.

When last December’s final College Football Playoff rankings were released, BYU and Notre Dame were the first two teams left on the outside looking in.

BYU (11-2) missed the elite 12 by dropping a second loss to No. 4 Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game. An additional top-10 win anywhere else on their schedule would have put the Cougars in the field.

Notre Dame (10-2) missed out on the playoffs after winning 10 straight games. Much to its dismay, dominating a weak schedule wasn’t enough to overcome early losses to Miami and Texas A&M. So upset were the Irish, they opted out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl and ended their season — turning down a date with BYU.

It didn’t take long during the offseason before the Irish and Cougars realized they could help each other. Staring at another vegetarian plate in 2026, featuring a majority of opponents nowhere near the AP Top 25, BYU and Notre Dame sought to add some meat. They quickly agreed to a home-and-home series with the hope that each would resemble more of a T-bone than a hamburger when it came time to eat.

Wish granted.

The Cougars and Irish are prime steaks.

Since that final CFP ranking reveal, both BYU and Notre Dame are 6-0, including the Cougars win over No. 22 Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Over the last three seasons, the Irish are 30-4, BYU is 28-4. Notre Dame has won 16 consecutive games. The Cougars have won 15 straight games at night.

With Notre Dame’s (63) and BYU’s (86) strength of schedule needing a pick-me-up, the winner on Saturday is sure to get that boost. The consolation prize for the loser will be pretty much the same with half a season still to play. Same goes for next year when the Cougars and Irish meet in South Bend.

In practicality, this is a potential win-win for both, especially if it’s a close game. For BYU, however, the moment in and of itself is also as big as it has ever been for the program. That makes this the perfect week to make history by upsetting the Irish at home and adding a 2026 memory to reminisce about for years to come.

Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.