BYU vs. No. 5 Notre Dame: Complete Game Preview

A week after a disheartening loss at home to 10th-ranked Oregon State, the BYU Cougars will have an even tougher test this Saturday in South Bend, Indiana. The Cougars will be facing fifth-ranked Notre Dame, who is undefeated and hasn't lost a home game since midway through last season.

A two-touchdown underdog, the Cougs will need to limit their turnovers—and find their formerly stellar defense—to come out with a win against the Irish. So, here is a preview of how BYU can pull it off.

Game-Day Information

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

When: Saturday, October 20th, 3:30 p.m. (EDT)

Where: South Bend, IN

Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium (80,795)

TV: NBC

Radio: KSL Radio 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and ksl.com

BYU's Depth Chart

Offense (Starters in bold)

QB: Riley Nelson, James Lark

RB: Jamaal Williams, David Foote, Iona Pritchard

WR: Cody Hoffman, Ross Apo, JD Falslev; Skyler Ridley, Dallin Cutler, David Foote

TE: Kaneakua Friel, Austin Holt

LT: Ryker Mathews, Michael Yeck

LG: Solomone Kafu

C: Braden Hansen, Blair Tushaus

RG: Manaaki Vaitai, Brock Stringham 

RT: Braden Brown, Manaaki Vaitai

Special Teams

K: Justin Sorensen

P: Riley Stephenson

LS: Reed Hornung

H: JD Falslev

Defense

LE: Ezekiel Ansah, Mike Muehlmann

DT: Romney Fuga, Simote Vea

RE: Russell Tialavea, Ezekiel Ansah

LB: Spencer Hadley, Alani Fua

MLB: Uona Kaveinga, Zac Stout

LB: Brandon Ogletree, Manoa Pikula

OLB: Kyle Van Noy, Jherremya Leuta-Douyere

CB: Jordan Johnson, Micah Hannemann, Robbie Buckner

CB: Preston Hadley, Skye PoVey

SS: Daniel Sorensen, Craig Bills

FS: Joe Sampson, Mike Hague

Special Teams

PR: JD Falslev

KR: Joe Sampson, Mike Hague

Notre Dame's Depth Chart

Offense

QB: Everett Golson, Tommy Rees

RB: Cierre Wood, Theo Riddick, George Atkinson III, Cam McDaniel

WR: TJ Jones, Robby Toma, DaVaris Daniels; John Goodman, Davonte' Neal, Daniel Smith

TE: Tyler Eifert, Ben Koyack

LT: Zack Martin, Ronnie Stanley

RT: Christian Lombard, Nick Martin

C: Braxston Cave, Mike Golic, Jr. 

LG: Chris Watt, Conor Hanratty

RG: Mike Golic, Jr., Conor Hanratty

Defense

DE: Kapron Lewis-Moore, Sheldon Day

DE: Stephon Tuitt, Tony Springmann

NG: Louis Nix III, Kona Schwenke

LB: Prince Shembo, Ishaq Williams

LB: Dan Fox, Carlo Calabrese

LB: Manti Te'o, Jarrett Grace

LB: Danny Spond, Ben Councell

CB: Bennett Jackson, Jalen Brown

CB: KeiVarae Russell, Josh Atkinson

FS: Zeke Motta, Nicky Baratti

SS: Matthias Farley, Chris Salvi

Special Teams

K: Kyle Brindza

P: Ben Turk

KR: George Atkinson

PR: Davonte Neal

What Happened to the Cougs Last Week

Although they say, "You look good, you feel good, you play good," that was not the case for the Cougars last week. Despite sporting new black uniforms, they fell 42-24 to Oregon State.

Riley Nelson played in his first game since Week 4, and while throwing for 305 yards and a touchdown, he threw three picks (two of which led directly to OSU points). Jamaal Williams ran for only 36 yards off of 15 carries and two touchdowns, while Cody Hoffman snagged 10 passes for 102 yards.

What Happened to the Irish Last Week

Notre Dame slipped away from Stanford on Saturday, winning 20-13 in overtime. Before receiving a concussion late in the game, sophomore quarterback Everett Golson threw for 141 yards and a touchdown with no picks.

Tommy Rees led the team to victory in the overtime period, completing all four of his passes and a touchdown. The defense was able to stand strong at the end, when they prevented Stanford from entering the end zone.

What This Game Means to Both Teams

BYU is coming off of a tough loss and could send waves through the country by beating the Irish at home. Also, the Cougar defense didn't have a great time against Oregon State and needs to regain confidence against Notre Dame.

The Fighting Irish have beaten marquee teams so far this season, including Stanford, Michigan and Michigan State, and are in no place to lose to a 4-3 BYU team. If they want any shot at a national championship, they will need to win the rest of their games.

Key Player for BYU

Riley Nelson had a good game in his first start since September; well, the first half, at least. In the first two quarters, Nelson had over 100 yards passing, a touchdown and an interception. In the second half, more yards came, along with two picks and no end-zone appearances.

Against a tough Irish defense, he can't make the risky throws that he often does. Nelson will need to play smart, and limit turnovers while making big plays. If he can do this, we will see.

Key Player for Notre Dame

Everett Golson put together 178 yards against Michigan State's seventh-ranked defense, one of his lower numbers for the year. Despite throwing zero interceptions, he had a tough time getting things rolling on offense.

BYU's defense is ranked fifth, and is gifted when it comes to putting pressure on the quarterback. If Golson can't produce for Notre Dame, the Irish offense will have a hard time scoring.

Final Prediction

I can't see BYU leaving South Bend with a win, considering how both teams have played in the past two games. If the Cougs can play lockdown defense and score on offense, they may win, but I don't think they will do enough to win.

My Prediction: Notre Dame wins, 24-17