BYU receiver Brayden Cosper runs after making a catch in opposition to Baylor at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. The Cougars defeated the Bears in double time beyond regulation, however have one other robust take a look at forward Saturday once they play Notre Dame in Las Vegas. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
Notre Dame tight finish Michael Mayer scores a landing throughout sport in opposition to North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Mayer is a possible first-round NFL draft decide and shall be a handful for the Cougars Saturday in Vegas. Chris Seward, Related Press
BYU brings a 4-1 report, a No. 16 nationwide rating and a win over then-No. 9 Baylor to the large showdown in Las Vegas.
Notre Dame brings a 2-2 mark, a puzzling dwelling loss to unranked Marshall, a backup quarterback and all that aura and mystique of yesteryear to the playing capital of the world.
Naturally, the Combating Irish are favored to win by a little bit greater than a area purpose on Saturday afternoon (5:30 p.m. MDT) at Allegiant Stadium. Clearly, Notre Dame’s fame as a university soccer energy supersedes the truth that the Cougars have gone 26-5 the previous three seasons, a report that features seven wins over Energy 5 packages the previous two years.
“To get an opponent like Notre Dame, and to have the ability to play on a nationwide degree like in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, it's large for our program. And so it will be important that we present up, and present out, and go play BYU soccer for all 4 quarters.” — BYU linebacker Payton Wilgar
Is BYU feeling disrespected?
Not likely, head coach Kalani Sitake and a number of other Cougars stated Monday as they returned to follow and turned their consideration to the long-awaited Week 6 conflict with maybe essentially the most well-known program within the nation.
“Trying ahead to an excellent matchup with them,” Sitake stated. “We all know that they're harmful. We don’t thoughts being the underdog.”
Notre Dame is coming off a bye week and rolling after bouncing again from a season-opening 21-10 loss to then-No. 2 Ohio State and the 26-21 loss to Marshall with wins over California (24-17) and North Carolina (45-32). BYU has received two in a row, however in much less spectacular trend.
“We undoubtedly have to be on our A-game for Notre Dame. They're an excellent soccer staff. There isn't a room for popping out mushy and whatnot,” stated BYU linebacker Payton Wilgar. “… To get an opponent like Notre Dame, and to have the ability to play on a nationwide degree like in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, it's large for our program. And so it will be important that we present up, and present out, and go play BYU soccer for all 4 quarters.”
Actually, first-year Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has loads of respect for BYU.
“You don’t gotta watch quite a lot of the movie to comprehend the problem we've. It is a proficient soccer staff that's 4-1. They play extraordinarily exhausting. They're a veteran soccer staff and never simply with age, however expertise with taking part in in a sport,” Freeman stated. “We received our work minimize out for us. Our guys shall be motivated and able to roll.”
And well-rested. Freeman stated Notre Dame practiced Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday final week and started putting in its sport plan for BYU. Drew Pyne has changed the injured Tyler Buchner at QB and is 2-0 as a starter. Notre Dame has a possible NFL first-round draft decide in tight finish Michael Mayer.
Notre Dame tight finish Michael Mayer scores a landing throughout sport in opposition to North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Mayer is a possible first-round NFL draft decide and shall be a handful for the Cougars Saturday in Vegas.
Chris Seward, Related Press
“I just like the underdog mentality on a regular basis,” Sitake stated. “So it doesn't matter what the scenario is, we all know we're going in opposition to an excellent staff. Notre Dame hasn’t performed their greatest soccer but. And you'll see the expertise, you'll be able to see the flashes of nice gamers, and nice scheme and nice teaching.
“However we haven’t performed our greatest, both,” Sitake continued. “We are attempting to go from that place from good to nice. I'm wanting ahead to getting that finished this week. I really feel like we're actually shut. I believe the issues that may get us to being an excellent staff proper now will be the following step ahead, and that's stuff that we will simply handle as we speak.”
The Cougars’ damage listing was longer than 10 names coming into the Utah State sport, however a couple of guys needs to be again, “no one has been counted out for Saturday,” and no one has been misplaced for the season, Sitake stated Monday.
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick stated on his “Coordinators’ Nook” program Monday that receiver Chase Roberts needs to be again, whereas receiver Puka Nacua “is doing every part proper to get again,” however has had “unhealthy luck.” Tight finish/fullback Masen Wake must also return, after having missed the USU sport with concussion-like signs.
“Nobody goes to take Notre Dame frivolously. That’s a traditionally nice program. Our gamers are excited to play. Yeah, they're favored, everyone is aware of that,” Roderick stated. “They've a very good staff. You watch them play on protection, and so they don’t have very many weaknesses, if any. They're large and bodily and have nice talent within the secondary.”
Safeties and particular groups coach Ed Lamb stated the protection is usually wholesome, with senior security Malik Moore (wrist damage) having missed Thursday’s sport. Lamb stated having underdog standing may truly assist the Cougars.
“I at all times be ok with BYU after we are humble, after we are assured, however after we additionally really feel like we've a possibility,” Lamb stated on “Coordinators’ Nook.” “Such a matchup is one the place I believe you'll get a very hard-fought sport, as a result of I believe either side see a victory as an opportunity to outline their season up up to now.”
If it comes all the way down to a area purpose sport, the Cougars could possibly be in bother. BYU senior kicker Jake Oldroyd has made simply one in all his final six area purpose makes an attempt. Sitake and Lamb stated the competitors will go on this week earlier than the Cougars head to Las Vegas on Friday.
“Greatest approach I can describe it's Jake is a proficient kicker who's in a stoop,” Lamb stated. “And so when he's, I'm. So we’ve received to discover a approach collectively to convey him again (to 2020 and 2021 type). I believe that's our greatest and highest potential as a staff. Justen Smith is our backup kicker and he deserves an opportunity to compete for that beginning spot proper now.”
Cougars on the air
BYU (4-1) vs. Notre Dame (2-2)
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. MDT
Allegiant Stadium
Las Vegas, Nevada
TV: NBC
Radio: KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM