The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to clash with the Boise State Broncos this afternoon in what promises to be a test of early-season form for both squads. Kicking off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time from Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, this marks the first-ever meeting between these two programs. Notre Dame, currently ranked No. 21 with a 2-2 record, enters the game after a dominant 48-14 win over Arkansas last week, showing signs of offensive firepower that could carry them far. Boise State, sitting at 3-1, has been solid but faces a step up in competition against the Irish's storied defense.
Indeed, the Broncos have relied on a balanced attack led by their quarterback, but Notre Dame's secondary has been locking down passers all season. Expect a spread of 20.5 points in favor of the home team, with an over/under total of 63.5 suggesting a potential shootout if Boise State keeps pace. However, the Irish's ground game, averaging over 200 yards per outing lately, might grind out a more controlled victory. Fans have been buzzing about this non-conference tilt, especially with playoff implications lurking for Notre Dame—they can't afford slip-ups in a packed schedule ahead.
Watching the action shouldn't be an issue for most. The game airs live on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock for those cutting the cord. Moreover, coverage kicks in around 3 p.m. ET, including pregame analysis that dives into Boise State's upset potential from last year's playoff run. It's a straightforward broadcast, no blackouts reported, so tune in via your local provider or the app. Still, with the Irish pushing for a green-out atmosphere at the stadium, the energy there could make this one memorable, even if the scoreline tilts predictably.
Key storylines include Notre Dame's young signal-caller stepping up under pressure and Boise State's ability to exploit any defensive lapses—something the Irish have shown in losses to teams like Northern Illinois. However, momentum seems firmly on South Bend's side right now. As the clock winds down on this matchup, one can't help but wonder how it shapes the rest of these teams' seasons.