Notre Dame first big test of the 2026 season will be when it travels to take on BYU on Oct. 17, which will most likely be a primetime contest due to both teams being ranked highly.
The anticipation for the game is already bubbling, as Pro Football Network’s Cam Mellor had an extremely hot take on Wednesday, the Cougars defense has more talent than the Irish’s. He really doesn’t back up this idea, as he compliments Notre Dame’s lines along with star cornerback Leonard Moore.
There are multiple top-level NFL prospects on the Irish defense, not just its brightest star. You’ll likely see all three rotational linebackers, an others in the secondary and at minimum Boubacar Traore getting picked on the line. Mellor seemingly just has a gut feel about
the game right now, and he’s take doesn’t really seem valid.
Sure, there are more than a few Cougars that will likely get drafted as well, but not nearly as many as Notre Dame has. Mellor might just have said that to get clicks, as he most likely will regret his statement after the game is played.
"I do think overall theres actually more talent on the BYU defense than there is Norte Dame defense through all 11 starters" @CamMellor on the BYU & Norte Dame defense pic.twitter.com/Nd8yVMTznk
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) September 23, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Analyst believes that BYU’s defense has more talent than Notre Dame’s
