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The BYU Cougars did more than knock off a powerhouse Saturday night. Kalani Sitake's team made a statement to the entire college football world. They belong in the national championship conversation.

With a dramatic 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 8 BYU delivered one of the biggest wins in program history, improved to 6-0 and proved it has the talent to compete with the nation's elite.

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier was the driving force behind the unforgettable performance. He accounted for all four touchdowns, combining passing with physical running and even catching a touchdown pass. When the game was on the line, Bachmeier delivered time and time again. He led a 55-yard drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown connection to Walker Lyons with 1:47 remaining. That was the moment BYU needed.

The Cougars still had to survive one final Notre Dame possession, and their defense answered the challenge. After the Fighting Irish marched into the red zone, BYU held tight on the final play, sending the LaVell Edwards Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The significance of this win extends beyond one Saturday night.

Notre Dame entered the matchup ranked second nationally and riding a 16-game winning streak. BYU not only ended that run but also earned its highest-ranked victory since defeating No. 1 Miami in 1990.

The Cougars showed they could withstand adversity, too. After building a 21-10 halftime lead, BYU watched Notre Dame rally to make a comeback in the fourth quarter. Special teams mistakes and a costly interception threatened to derail the night, but Bachmeier and the defense responded when it mattered most. That resilience could prove crucial as the season enters the second half. 

BYU's undefeated start is no longer an encouraging story. With a signature victory over a national title contender, the Cougars have established themselves as a legitimate factor in the broader College Football Playoff discussion. Their performance also arrived amid a chaotic weekend that saw five of the AP Top 8 teams lose.

One victory does not guarantee a playoff berth or establish BYU as a championship favorite. The Cougars must continue winning and demonstrate that their performance can be sustained against quality competition. However, the burden of proof has changed. BYU has earned national attention and a place at the table.

We'll see where BYU will be ranked on Sunday. Don't be surprised if the Cougars jump up into the top two of the AP Top 25 Poll.  

EUGENE, OREGON - OCTOBER 17: Anthony Colandrea #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers leads the team out of the tunnel before their game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s hard to tell at times.

So here’s how I’m grading it. 1) Rob Aurich is mixing the potions and the Blackshirts are flying around making it happen, and pressuring Brock Thomas into looking like a walk-on. And 2) The Huskers offense, while dealing with a lot of speed on the other side of the ball, has felt like they were close to popping explosive plays a few times. Yes, very few, but still.

And then they finally did three times, the last with 4 seconds left in the half when Anthony Colandrea found Kwazi Gilmer in the back of the end zone for the game’s only score and the current 7-0 lead. It had to survive a review, and yes Gilmer’s foot did appear to touch for a quick drag and the score, and when it did, the Ducks faithful erupted in protest.

Would I have felt the same if the situations were reversed? Yes, and here’s why – his foot did appear to shift ever so slightly at the toes or balls of his feet. And if I imagined it, I still would call TD if it was a Duck foot on the call because it simply seemed to be the epitome of nowhere near definitive enough to overturn.

You don’t have to believe me, but I swear I’m being honest in the assessment. And how about the the 31-yard completion to Gilmer on 3rd and 22 followed shortly by a Colandrea 17-yard scamper out of bounds to give them a chance and time for that crack at the end zone.

Besides that?

Let me check my notes: punt, punt, punt, punt…(counting on fingers)…yep, 13 total. Traded turnovers…check.

And not much else.

The second half is coming up. Huskers have the ball – can they finish. Pound that coffee and find out, y’all.

Houston high school football scoreboard (Staff illustration)

The Week 8 Houston-area and statewide Texas high school football scores from Saturday's games as compiled by the Associated Press.

Houston area

Cypress Ranch 42, Cypress Park 0
Fort Bend Chargers 66, Longview East Texas Christian 16
Goose Creek Memorial 28, New Caney 21
Heights 13, Hastings 9
Langham Creek 52, Cypress Ridge 13
Westfield 37, Aldine Davis 7

Statewide scores

Dallas Kimball 24, Dallas Carter 6
Laredo Alexander 28, SA Southwest 21
SA Johnson 62, SA Northside Clark 21
San Antonio Harlan 22, Sotomayor 19

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This article originally published at Texas high school football: Saturday's scores from Week 8.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Playing in front of an empty Sun Bowl on Saturday night, UTEP football hosted a conference matchup against San Jose State, desperately looking to end a four-game losing streak and stop the bleeding on a season rapidly slipping away.

Instead, the Miners fell 24-11 at home, dropping to 1-6 on the year and 0-3 in Mountain West Conference play.

On the very first play of the game, quarterback EJ Colson Jr. — returning from injury — connected with Kam Thomas for an explosive 64-yard gain, pushing the Miners deep into Spartan territory. However, UTEP stalled in the red zone. Hoping to get at least three points out of the promising drive, Carlos Arreola missed a 37-yard field goal, leaving the game scoreless.

San Jose State capitalized on the ensuing drive. Daniel Rolovich found Carson Clark for an 11-yard touchdown pass, giving the Spartans a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Things went from bad to worse for the Miners in the second quarter. San Jose State brought heavy pressure and got to the quarterback for a sack, resulting in an injury that forced Colson to leave the game. The Spartans carried a 7-0 lead into halftime.

The Spartans put the game out of reach in the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns to take a 21-3 lead. The Miners finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as they fell 24-11.

The Miners will now head into a bye week searching for answers.

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