BYU will face Notre Dame in a top-10 showdown without their star quarterback LJ Martin, who suffered a lower-body injury in the Cougars' Week 5 win over TCU. Martin, the 2025 Big 12 offensive player of the year, has been sidelined since and missed last week’s game against Iowa State, where sophomore Bear Bachmeier took full control of the offense.
The absence of Martin leaves BYU’s offense under significant pressure against Notre Dame’s defense, which ranks among the nation’s best. The Irish have held opponents to under 60 rushing yards per game and allow just 4.1 yards per play, statistics that put heavy constraints on any opposing offense. Bachmeier’s performance against Iowa State was tested, and the challenge will only increase facing a defense of this calibre.
Notre Dame’s running game, meanwhile, presents its own questions. Aneyas Williams entered the season expected to be the lead back following the departures of first-round picks Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Yet, Williams has shared carries fairly evenly with Nolan James Jr. and Jonaz Walton. Williams has 67 carries for 294 yards, while James Jr. has 65 carries for 335 yards. Walton, the team’s leading rusher so far, has 52 carries for 409 yards, suggesting the Irish backfield is more of a committee than a single star.
BYU’s defense has its own strengths, having allowed an average of 80 rushing yards per game this season, ranking tenth nationally. The Cougars will need to maintain this defensive standard to contain Notre Dame’s trio of backs and force the Irish to win through the air or on less efficient plays.
The matchup sets up a clash where BYU’s offense must adapt without Martin, relying on Bachmeier and the receiving corps to overcome one of the toughest defensive units in college football. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s offense looks to exploit a BYU defense that has been stout but will face a multifaceted running attack.
The game will test how both teams adjust to the key absences and defensive challenges. With Martin out, BYU’s prospects hinge on Bachmeier’s ability to manage the offense effectively and BYU’s defense to contain Notre Dame’s rushing attack. The latest confirmed development is Martin’s continued absence, leaving Bachmeier to start under center for the Cougars in what promises to be a tightly contested contest.
According to Yahoo Sports.