The Irish home opener is here and it should be a very prosperous one as they welcome Marshall to South Bend.
After a week one loss, Notre Dame has a lot to work on, especially on offense. Here are five statistical predictions for the Irish as they set to face the Thundering Herd.
Audric Estime emerges and rushes for 100+ yards I really wanted to choose one of the other backs but looking back at how offensive coordinator Tommy Rees utilized this group, he really seemed to favor Estime.
Audric Estime emerges and rushes for 100+ yards He’s the bruiser of the group, the thunder to Chris Tyree’s lightning. It seems like Logan Diggs isn’t 100% healthy, otherwise he probably would have gotten more than four carries against Ohio State.
Audric Estime emerges and rushes for 100+ yards Estime is the benefactor and rushes for over 100-yards and a score.
The defense forces three turnovers The Irish didn’t create or lose a turnover in the season opener. Marshall threw just one interception, but that was against much lower completion in Norfolk State.
The defense forces three turnovers The Irish defense is way better and will get back to taking the ball away from their opponent.
The defense forces three turnovers The secondary won’t allow much through the air and will take two away (Brandon Joseph and true freshman Ben Morrison) from the hands of Marshall quarterback Henry Colombi.
The defense forces three turnovers The defensive line (Rylie Mills) will force another as the Irish win the turnover battle.
Tyler Buchner throws for over 200-yards for the first time in his career: The sophomore quarterback was sensational in the first half against OSU, the second half was more of a struggle.
Tyler Buchner throws for over 200-yards for the first time in his career: The team will feed off what Buchner can accomplish and he should set a new single-game passing yardage total in this one. Another week of getting familiar with his receivers will really see the offense open up.
Tyler Buchner throws for over 200-yards for the first time in his career: Expect Buchner to go over the 200-yard mark through the air with two scores.
Isaiah Foskey breaks out: It was a rough go for Foskey during the opener. At times it seemed like he wasn’t even on the field. Saturday is going to be much different.
Isaiah Foskey breaks out: Foskey is going to play with a chip on his shoulder, the same one that saw him explode for 11 sacks last fall. He going to take down Colombi twice for sacks with a tackle-for-loss sprinkled in there as well.
Some not named Mayer will have 100-yard receiving: Until one of the wide receivers has a breakout game, tight end Michael Mayer is going to see bracket coverage.
Some not named Mayer will have 100-yard receiving: With the expectation that Buchner will have a solid game, one of his wide receivers is going to be a benefactor of that.
Some not named Mayer will have 100-yard receiving: I expect it to be Lorenzo Styles, who only had one reception in the opener, although it did go 54-yards. Buchner will target him at least six times, as Styles grabs four of them for over 100-yards and a score.