Altitude appears to matter in hockey, but I don’t remember a team struggling vs the Broncos because of the thin air.
It's a non factor in football, it's a bigger issue in soccer where you're constantly moving:
No, the altitude at BYU's
LaVell Edwards Stadium is generally not a major issue for unacclimated football players. [
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Key Details on BYU's Stadium Altitude
- Elevation: LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah sits at approximately 4,549 feet (about 1,387 meters) above sea level.
- Impact Level: While 4,500+ feet is the threshold where some individuals begin to notice minor changes in thin air, sports scientists and players note it is too low to cause severe altitude sickness or dramatic physiological declines for elite, well-conditioned college athletes.
- Comparison to Extreme Altitudes: It sits notably lower than Mile-High venues like the Denver Broncos' stadium (5,280 feet) or high-elevation ski and mountain towns (7,000+ feet), meaning the drop in oxygen partial pressure is modest.
- Football Demands: Football relies heavily on short, explosive bursts (lasting 10 to 15 seconds) mixed with frequent huddles and recovery time on the sidelines, rather than continuous long-distance aerobic endurance.
- Ball Physics: The slightly thinner air can actually reduce air resistance, which can lead to slightly longer field goals or deep throws, though the effect at 4,500 feet is minimal compared to higher elevations. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
No, the altitude at BYU's LaVell Edwards Stadium is not expected to be a major physiological disadvantage for Notre Dame. For their upcoming game on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Fighting Irish have heavily prepared for Provo's 4,549-foot elevation. [
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Why Notre Dame is Highly Prepared
- The Secret Weapon (Coach Loren Landow): Notre Dame's director of football performance, Loren Landow, spent years in Denver as the strength and conditioning coach for the NFL's Denver Broncos. He has extensive professional experience prepping elite athletes to play at even higher elevations. [1, 2, 3]
- Targeted Breathing Techniques: Under Landow's guidance, Notre Dame players began dedicated altitude and recovery breath training during the summer and fall camp. The team has been practicing specific mid-game "reloading" protocols to rapidly lower their heart rate and clear carbon dioxide between short, explosive plays. [1, 2, 3]
- Crucial Fueling Rules: Head coach Marcus Freeman noted that the staff has educated the roster on aggressive hydration and carbohydrate fueling earlier in the week. Dehydration happens faster in dry, thin air, which is the primary cause of fatigue rather than a lack of oxygen itself. The Irish will also have oxygen tanks available on the sidelines as a standard precaution. [1, 2, 3]
Expected Strategic Impacts
Because BYU knows unacclimated teams can feel a slight windedness early on, analysts note that the Cougars might try to use a
hurry-up, high-tempo offense right out of the gate to test the Irish's recovery time. However, because football is driven by brief bursts of effort rather than non-stop running, Notre Dame's defensive rotations and strict breathing focus are expected to keep the elevation from becoming a deciding factor in the game. [
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