The Notre Dame Fighting Irish travel to Raleigh to take on the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday. This game will kick off at noon Eastern with the Wolfpack being 7.5-point underdogs. Notre Dame enters this game 2-0 with commanding victories over mediocre teams, while the Wolfpack are 1-0 after a 24-14 victory over UConn.
Notre Dame Outlook
The Fighting Irish have decimated their opponents so far, averaging 500 yards of total offense per game. They have outscored their opponents 98-6, but neither team was very strong in any facet. Sam Hartman has looked elite, with 445 yards and six touchdowns while completing 82.5% of his passes. The defense has dominated in the passing game, not allowing more than 67 yards in either game. The run defense is solid, and only allowing three points per game is a great recipe for success.
While Notre Dame is ranked 10th in the A.P. poll, the Irish do have some questions to answer. First off, they have yet to face a team on the same level as NC State and have a strength of schedule ranking 109th in the country. Notre Dame has been a blue-blood team for years but still has to handle business against a strong defense in the Wolfpack. Hartman threw three interceptions his last time in Carter-Finley stadium and has yet to beat NC State in Raleigh. Jayden Thomas and Jaden Greathouse have been solid weapons on defense, but the jury is still out on how they will perform against possibly one of the best cornerback duos in college football.
NC State Outlook
The Wolfpack handled UConn but left meat on the bone last Thursday. While they rushed for 206 yards against the Huskies, Brennan Armstrong threw for 155 yards and no touchdowns. There may have been some hiccups with new offensive coordinator Robert Anae settling in, but the Wolfpack will assuredly have to improve the offensive production if they want to compete with Notre Dame. On defense, the secondary remained elite by only allowing 113 passing yards. However, there were multiple big runs allowed and the Huskies tallied 160 yards on the ground while finding the end zone twice via Victor Rosa’s running ability.
If NC State wants to stay in this game, the linebacking corps and defensive line have to figure out how to prevent the chunk run plays. Audric Estime is a talented running back who has amassed 211 yards on just 29 carries, so the Wolfpack will have to reign him in. In addition, Aydan White and Shyheim Battle will have to play at their best to limit Thomas and Greathouse. Hartman struggled against Tony Gibson’s defense last season, so the Wolfpack defensive coordinator will have to scheme ways to keep Hartman uncomfortable despite having a much-improved offensive line. It is worth noting that defensive end Savion Jackson returns from injury, which should provide much-needed support in the run defense for NC State.
NC State vs. Notre Dame Prediction
Notre Dame is a top-10 team for a reason. The Fighting Irish have an elite quarterback, a great offensive line, and a defense that has dominated lesser offenses. However, the Wolfpack do match up well against a Notre Dame team that is yet to face a truly solid team on either side of the ball. The Wolfpack defense will prevent Hartman from driving the ball downfield, but the Irish will get into the end zone on occasion. The key for the Wolfpack will be scoring more than 24 points. NC State did not lose a single game last season when scoring more than 24 points, and Gibson has had success keeping good teams in check on the defensive side of the ball.
The biggest question in this game will be the Wolfpack offense against the Notre Dame defense. NC State has a solid rushing attack with Armstrong and Jordan Houston but will need to show some improvement in the passing game. Kevin Concepcion appears to be the number one target, leading the team with four catches last week. If Armstrong and Anae can manufacture a touchdown or two in the air, this game will come down to a couple of field goals or even a defensive turnover perchance.
Notre Dame will score 24 points. The Wolfpack offense will win if they exceed 24 points and lose if they do not. The team that creates more turnovers will have a serious edge in this game, as the total is only 50.5 and points will be hard to come by if the rain does come to Raleigh.
Score Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Wolfpack 24. Overtime will decide the outcome of this matchup.
Photo courtesy: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
