BYU enters late October at 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12 after a signature 28-24 home win over then-No. 2 Notre Dame, with the Cougars ranked as high as No. 2 nationally and holding a top-10 power rating. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier has driven an efficient attack while the defense ranks among the nation’s best in scoring and rush yards allowed, though star running back LJ Martin remains sidelined with an ankle injury and the unit has dealt with multiple other absences that are gradually resolving. The remaining schedule features a cross-country trip to UCF, the Holy War at Utah, and winnable but physical home matchups against Arizona State, Baylor, and Cincinnati, plus a potential conference title game. Traders price the 8.5-win total above 70 percent on the strength of this early momentum and roster depth, tempered by the difficulty of sustaining performance across the final stretch.