The #10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish proved they belong with the nation’s elite when they were able to hang with the #3 Georgia Bulldogs all the way down to the final minute on Saturday night. The Irish had the ball and a chance to win in the waning moments of that titanic clash in between the hedges, but fell short.
There’s been a re-occurring theme in all of Brian Kelly’s media availabilities since that game ended and it’s his belief that we’ll find out who his team really is this week: when we see their response on Saturday against a very good Virginia Cavaliers team ranked #18 in the country.
#10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs #18 Virginia Cavaliers FYIs
Kickoff: 3:42 pm Sat Sept 28, Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame Indiana
TV: NBC
Spread, total: Notre Dame Fighting Irish -11, 50
#18 Virginia Cavaliers ( 4-0, 2-0) Preview
Bryce Perkins is a dual threat quarterback and playmaker extraordinaire. He’s the team’s leading rusher in addition to being the leading passer. Last time out, UVA found themselves behind late in the game against FCS foe Old Dominion before they found the wherewithal to rally.
They also beat Pitt, Florida State and William & Mary.
The Cavaliers come into this game leading the nation (tied with Florida) in sacks (20). ILB Jordan Mack leads the nation’s linebackers with 5.0 sacks (No. 6 overall). He has at least 0.5 sacks in six-straight games dating back to the 2018 Virginia Tech game.
Kelly described him as “one of the best inside backers we’re going to see, instinctive.”
Outside linebacker Charles Snowden was named National Player of the Week. He’s long and athletic, and helps to anchor a unit that’s in the top 14 in total defense.
Cornerback Bryce Hall, a potential Jim Thorpe award candidate, has high NFL Draft stock.
“Really physical as a run stopper, blitzer,” said Kelly. “He’ll be a high pick in the NFL.”
Also, by the way, DL Samson Reed’s father, Tanoai, is the cousin of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and works as his Hollywood stunt double.
#10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-1) Preview
Notre Dame came away from the Georgia loss totally clean on the injury front. However, their playoff chances took a major hit, and even running the table from here on out might not be enough.
We had an exclusive today with Ty Detmer, 1990 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL veteran of 14 seasons.
We covered a multitude of topics, including ND’s playoff chances.
“A lot of it depends on what some of the other teams do,” said the man who is 5th all time in NCAA passing yards.
“If they can get in the playoff, they got a shot, as they have an experienced quarterback.”
“They will have to win out, obviously, having one loss already.”
“It all depends on if Georgia makes it through, or Ohio State or Wisconsin, one of those teams, it will be interesting to see who survives it all.”
The biggest problem for ND is something well outside their control- diminished schedule strength, caused by their traditionally strong opponents being weaker than usual this season. USC is not traditional USC, they have been in out of the polls thus far.
Michigan seems forever overrated and underachieving since the historic loss to Appalachian State. Stanford is way way way down from where they usually reside. And the ACC teams on their slate, well none are named Clemson.
So while all of this is outside the autonomy of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football, what they can control is the effort and mindset they bring to their own games.
“I think our team will define who they are, this week because they’re coming off of a game where they were disappointed in their performance,” said Kelly.
“So they have a chance to do something about it.”
“I think it defines who you are. I mean, clearly they know what’s at stake for them this weekend, they’re playing a really good football team that’s nationally ranked, I think it is the first time they have been ranked for three weeks in a long time. They feel really good about themselves.”
“They’ll come in expecting to win.”
“They’re going to be challenged and they’re going to have to respond. Yeah. You want to find those things out. I have a good feeling that they’re going to respond in the right way.”
Prediction: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 24, Virginia 19
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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