Just hours away from Notre Dame's home opener, the IT staff make their score predictions and hot takes for today's game against NIU.
Photo by The Irish Tribune
Max Uretsky - Recruiting Analyst
Score Prediction: 38-16 Notre Dame
Coming off a big game vs an SEC opponent on the road and going home to play a MAC school seems like the recipe for a "let down game", but considering what happened vs Marshall a few years ago I don't think Freeman and co. let that happen. I would like to see a little more out the passing game in a friendlier home environment and see if the O-Line can continue to gel after a mostly positive performance vs a very good defensive line in Texas A&M. Northern Illinois isn't exactly a pushover and will give some fight, but I'm picking Notre Dame 38-16, and think Cooper Flanagan catches two touchdowns.
Jhett Garrett - Multi-Sport Writer
Score Prediction: 45-7 Notre Dame
The offense began meshing at the end of the Texas A&M game, and the defense was superior for all four quarters. while NIU could be a decent team after their win last week, it was Western Illinois so you have to take that into consideration. I'm looking forward to see everyone get some playing time.
Peter Mulroy - Associate Editor and First & Gold Podcast Host
Score Prediction: 38-10 Notre Dame
Sorry ND fans, I don’t think a 63-0 drubbing is going to take place. The Irish will win, largely due to their superior size and speed, but this NIU team, which is built on defense after a solid 7-6 campaign a year ago, will be a nice challenge for a still young Irish front five. This is the type of game where you’d like to see ND continue to move forward and not settle based on what “should happen.” Coach Freeman simply won’t allow that. I think we see another solid rushing attack and more development in the passing game.
Liam Farrell - Senior Football Writer
Score Prediction: 38-13 Notre Dame
The Irish attempt to open up the downfield passing game a bit more, but after struggling on the first couple drives the Irish go back to their bread-and-butter. Love and Price have another impressive performance as the Irish pull away in the 2nd half after a small halftime lead to win 38-13. The defense will force two turnovers, as well.
Jack McMillen - Writer
Score Prediction: 38-6 Notre Dame
Today's game is a great opportunity for the O-Line to gel in a home field environment. The offense will begin to sync and Leonard will look better. Kris Mitchell gets more involved too, and the Irish cruise to a nice win in the home opener.
Cade Harper - Writer
Score Prediction: 34-17 Notre Dame
I think Notre Dame comes out a little fat and happy out of the gates in this one, and I think NIU covers this massive +28.5 spread. However, I think defense stays playing well, winning the turnover margin again by at least +2. The D-Line shows up this time forcing a lot of pressures, and we'll see at least 3+ sacks from those guys all around. NIU is extremely run heavy which is something to look forward to, maybe see Drayk Bowen potentially blow up more counters or Mills and Cross get active in the backfield. Ultimately the “struggle” of the game here will be the offense getting off to a hot start but will run away with it in the end. NIU returns a lot of guys on the defensive side and is arguably one of the best defenses in the MAC. I think we see a decently high scoring game again. But it will just takes a minute to get them going per usual.
Noah Wehby - Writer
Score Prediction: 45-10 Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s passing attack opens up against a lesser opponent and finds rhythm. The running game also has a lot of success throughout the game due to Notre Dame's size and speed. The defense does their job holding the NIU offense for most of the game.
Brenden Duffy - Senior Football Writer
Score Prediction: 38-10 Notre Dame
Today feels like a spot the Irish could start slow. In prior years, the team would probably finish slow too but I am all the way bought into Coach Freeman and believe they can overcome a possible slow start. Give me another strong showing from the defense and a big passing game for Riley Leonard.
Bruce Straughan - Recruiting Writer
Score Prediction: 42-10 Notre Dame
The O-Line will get comfortable and give Riley Leonard time to throw the ball. The WRs will have a big day, and Love and Price each rush for a touchdown. The defense dominates and holds NIU to no more than 10 points today. By the 3rd quarter: The backups start getting on the field and the ground game pounds the rock to eat up the clock.
Connor Regan - Writer
Score Prediction:38-10 Notre Dame
Notre Dame avoids the week 2 hangover and uses this game to work out the kinks from week 1. The score is not quite a blowout as the 4th quarter is all about getting young guys touches. Love rushes for 2 touchdowns, Leonard passes for 2, the O-Line doesn’t allow a single sack, and the defense gets 2 sacks and forces 2 turnovers.
Clayton Stohler - FIrst & Gold Podcast
Score Prediction: 34-3 Notre Dame
NIU is closer to Marshall than Notre Dame fans would probably like to admit. Defensively, they pose a multitude of issues. How will Joe Rudolph’s unit handle the front seven of the Huskies? Breaking in the starting 5 for the O-Line will remain a challenge that we haven’t seen the last of. We’ve seen Notre Dame struggle with MAC D-Lines before.
The Huskies also have 4-5 quality, NFL-level players on their roster. Expect Notre Dame to try to find itself through the air. That may be an uncomfortable prospect for fans, and at times, this game may be far from a vacation to watch. However, Notre Dame’s defense handled NIU’s unique offensive scheme and will impose their will yet again. Notre dame will struggle until the 4th quarter, but then their struggles end there as the athletes take over. It'll be a big day for Jaden Greathouse.
What are your predictions for tonight's game? Leave them in the comments below!
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