BYU Reaches Historic No. 2 Ranking After Defeating Notre Dame
The BYU football team has achieved a historic No. 2 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll after defeating Notre Dame. Head Coach Kalani Sitake is encouraging his undefeated Cougars to stay focused on upcoming games and avoid distractions from…
Salt Lake City, UT, October 20, 2026 —
BYU has reached a historic No. 2 position in the AP Top 25 poll after defeating Notre Dame, a milestone that puts the undefeated Cougars near the top of the national rankings.
Head Coach Kalani Sitake is urging the team to keep its attention on upcoming games rather than let the ranking become a distraction. He has encouraged the players to “keep the rat poison away from the boys” and maintain a humble and hungry mindset.
The message comes as BYU moves forward with an undefeated record and heightened attention following its win over Notre Dame. The summary of the development does not provide the score of that game, when it was played, or the specific opponents on BYU’s upcoming schedule. It also does not identify the date of the AP poll or say how the team’s ranking has changed over time.
Sitake’s stated focus is on keeping the team grounded despite its position in the poll. The available information does not include further details about his comments or how the players responded. BYU’s No. 2 ranking and undefeated record are the central facts reported in the summary; no additional season statistics or broader implications were provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Jay Drew on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
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