Seventh ranked Notre Dame has a tough CBS prime time match up against third ranked University of Georgia and all eyes will be on the Irish.
The reality of the situation is with a loss in Athens, the Fighting Irish’s chance at a College Football Playoff appearance is extremely slim. They will need to play up to the golden standard and play like champions today if they want to continue the tradition of winning that Notre Dame has carried over from the undefeated regular season in 2018.
The 2018 season rested a ton on the shoulders of quarterback Ian Book. Book has taken strides in building the chemistry with the offensive weapons he has around him. Wide receiver Chase Claypool will only benefit from the expected return senior tight end Cole Kmet. Kmet who went down late in summer camp with a broken collarbone is what experts believe to be one of the next in succession of a run of great tight ends out of Notre Dame.
Head coach Brian Kelly has emphasized the theme “Road Warriors” since day one of training camp. Kelly knows that the 2019 schedule is tough – but he does understand that winning these big games are paramount to Notre Dame and its fan base.
Ace in the Hole
On the contrary, Georgia lead by head coach Kirby Smart, has a chance to recover from an early season loss with a chance to run the table in the SEC east and set-up the expected rematch against the Alabama Crimson Tide for the SEC Championship in December. Of course, a win against Notre Dame will only boost Georgia’s chances to make the CFP.
This game has playoff implications – perhaps the first true match up of two real contenders.
Hell, a grocery store in Georgia removed all Irish Spring products from its shelves.
A grocery store near Athens has removed all Irish Spring soap ahead of the Georgia vs Notre Dame clash. 😂👌
📸 @Wes_nship pic.twitter.com/H7anPxyjJg
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) September 18, 2019
Irish Spring did not think twice about seizing the opportunity to market themselves.
Hey @universityofga – Heard you were out of stock in Athens, GA. We’re sending a little luck your way. 🍀 Hoping for a good, clean game tomorrow! 🧼 #NDvsUGA 🏈 pic.twitter.com/kYipmNqSjW
— Irish Spring (@IrishSpring) September 20, 2019
The Rematch
These coaches have gone head to head back in the 2017 season when the Bulldogs traveled north of the Mason-Dixon Line to Notre Dame, Indiana. The game was an instant classic as Georgia narrowly escaped 20-19.
Now, it is 2019 and the Irish get another shot this time between the hedges. Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm was the starting quarterback against Notre Dame back when he was a freshman.
I hope that Fromm brings with him a false sense of confidence from his first go around with the Fighting Irish and that Notre Dame’s defense, which I believe to be stronger than both 2017 & 2018, can contain Fromm.
Attack the QB
Fromm is not a guy that likes to run. If you remember week one, Notre Dame had difficulty with the RPO. Louisville quarterback Jawon Pass really kept the pressure on DC Clark Lea’s group.
We saw that after an early season bye week, that Notre Dame contained New Mexico’s trio of quarterbacks and had a field day. I get that New Mexico was completely over matched, and Georgia will be the best team Notre Dame faces in the regular season this season, but the principal still remains. Good things happen when we get after the quarterback.
Kyle’s Keys to the Game:
Front Line
First and foremost the defensive trio of Daelin Hayes, Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem are going to need to collapse the pocket and alter the timing of Fromm and his receivers.
On the ground, the same three will need to funnel star running back D’Andre Swift into the young line-backing core of Notre Dame. Right now, Notre Dame’s rushing defense is near the bottom of the NCAA ranked 120th yielding 4.96 yard per carry while they excel so far in passing defense-holding opponents to 5.0 yards per attempt with zero touchdowns allowed.
On the flip side, the offensive line for Notre Dame must protect their quarterback and open up a few holes for running backs Tony Jones Jr and Avery Davis.
Play Calling
Kelly – this game is on your shoulders. Notre Dame has enough talent to jump out to a lead and control the crowd but it is going to take some good play calling. None of this getting cute – trying-to-do-to-much, stuff. It will be a “punch, counter-punch” style game.
Quarterback
Next, who flinches first? Book or Fromm? Book has shown happy feet in the past but we are starting to see a trust developed. As one of the most accurate returning passers from a year ago, Book’s numbers are below the mark when it comes to completion percentage.
For Fromm, this will be the most cohesive defense that he has faced this year. Notre Dame needs to take advantage of this. Whichever quarterback comes ready to play, will leave Athens victorious.
Worthless Prediction
The luck of the Irish will be needed whether it be another pick-six from the lock-down secondary or a special teams fumble recovery – we need be best at what we’re good at and that is winning the turnover battle. If the number one turnover margin team in the nation can get a lucky bounce and steal, some momentum in Sanford Stadium Notre Dame will persevere.
We need our players to channel their inner Rudy because all eyes are on the Irish tonight.
Notre Dame 21 Georgia 18
