Make no mistake, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake is focused on Saturday’s season-opening game against Utah Tech.

For him, the game represents a chance to finally play football again in front of a packed LaVell Stadium — even if Utah Tech is an FCS opponent.

“We talked about it. It’s not about the opponent for us,” he said. “We know we have to do the scouting and we have to look at the tendencies and things that we know we’re going to have to stop, and they’re going to try to get past us and expose some of our deficiencies. That’s the fun part of the game.”

That doesn’t mean Sitake can’t, as he put it, “multi-task,” and peek ahead to a game that many fans have circled on BYU’s schedule: a matchup against Notre Dame on Oct. 17.

Both teams come into this season with College Football Playoff expectations after both narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season.

“I was all in for it, and when we knew that was an opportunity, and there was an option, there was no hesitation on my part,” Sitake said. “I’m a fan first. That was a matchup you want to see as a fan.”

And as a player.

“I got to play in that game when we went to South Bend as a freshman, way, way back in ’94,” Sitake said. “So, I think it makes sense for faith-based institutions to play, and they’ve got an amazing team and amazing coach. That’s going to be fun.

“We are looking forward to that matchup, and even going out there and having the return game is going to be a lot of fun. If we can have more of those matchups, I am all for it.”

Even BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier noted that aside from Saturday’s opener, the Notre Dame game is one he’s looking forward to the most.

Still, he knows there’s plenty of football to be played before then.

And as he begins his sophomore campaign, he’s feeling a little different than he did this time last year.

“I think there was a little sense of anxiousness or at least some anxiety last year,” he said. “Still a little nervous, obviously, but that’s just part of the game. I think (I am) just way more comfortable and way more confident. Just excited.”

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.