BYU Cougars football top 2026 ranking
The gist
BYU rose to No. 2 in the AP and coaches polls after beating Notre Dame 28-24.
It is BYU's highest ranking since the 1984 national title.
How it unfolded
- Oct 17, 2026BYU beat Notre Dame 28-24 in Provo, ending the Irish's 16-game winning streak. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw, ran for and caught a touchdown, totaling 284 yards and four touchdowns, while BYU played without injured star running back LJ Martin.
- Oct 18, 2026BYU moved up to No. 2 in both the AP Top 25 and the US LBM Coaches Poll (AFCA), its highest ranking since the 1984 national championship. It received 20 first-place AP votes and 10 first-place coaching votes, finishing behind Miami in the AP poll and behind Miami and Ohio State in the coaches poll.
- Oct 18, 2026NBC Sports projected BYU at No. 2 in its Week 8 top 25, up seven spots, with a 6-0 (4-0) record and a next game at UCF.