Coming off back to back road wins of 20 points or more for the first time in more than 20 years, Notre Dame returns home this evening to host the Miami RedHawks and former Irish offensive coordinator Chuck Martin. Martin will lead Miami of Ohio into Notre Dame Stadium for the first time in history for just the second meeting ever between the two programs and the first since 1909.  Martin brings an undermanned and outmatched squad into South Bend to take on the Irish, but will Notre Dame be able to take care of business and put this one away early this week?
How’d I Do Last Week
As always, we’ll start by taking a look at how I did last week to keep me honest and honestly, I was way off on that one. I expected it to be a hard fought, close game like most Notre Dame – Michigan State games. Deep down I thought the chance for a comfortable was possible, but I think that almost every week because I’m a homer. Seeing Notre Dame actually make that happen though was a thing of beauty.
In terms of the players I was watching for last week. I expected about the type of performance that we saw from Brandon Wimbush. Improved and better than we had seen in the passing game but still a work in progress. I was worried about the tackling last week after some shoddy tackling against Boston College, but the Irish defense were up to the task last week and were pretty sound in that department.
What Concerns Me This Week
Not a whole lot. Honestly, there isn’t much that concerns me this weekend. On paper, this should be one of the easiest games of the year and we’ve already seen Notre Dame win three games by 20 or more points this year. This game shouldn’t be close and Notre Dame should get ample opportunity to continue to work on the kinks in the passing game and get some reps for the reserves in the second half.
The weird start time. If I have to list a few things that concern me, one would be the weird 5:00 start time. Athletes are creatures of habit and the odd start time could mess up their rhythm early I suppose, but that could be a stretch. It’ll more likely mess up Notre Dame fans’ dinner plans more than anything, but there is a chance we see a bit of sluggish start. Maybe.
A let down performance. This one could also be an issue. Notre Dame spent a lot of emotional capital on that performance last weekend and an opponent like Miami of Ohio could make it tough to be up for this one. I know, I know, they shouldn’t need any more motivation than playing for Notre Dame but even Lou Holtz coached teams had emotional letdowns from time to time. Hopefully the coaching staff kept them grounded this past week and used their absence from the Coaches Poll as motivation.
Running backs ankles. Notre Dame’s running backs keep getting banged up. The Irish didn’t have Tony Jones Jr last week and it sounds like Dexter Williams could be on the sidelines for actual legit reasons this weekend – unlike past weekends when he was perfectly healthy but just barely played. Notre Dame needs all three backs rested and healthy for the October stretch run so let’s hope they get through this one without any more injuries and that we see Deon McIntosh run the ball a lot in the second half.
What Doesn’t Concern Me This Week
Chuck Martin’s familiarity with Brian Kelly. There was some talk about how well the two coaches know each other and how Martin’s knowledge of Kelly could come into play here, but remember, Kelly had no connection with Mike Elko or Chip Long before this year so any knowledge Martin has of Kelly’s systems is really negligible here. If anything Martin has insight into Kelly’s game management and how the Irish might attack, but it’s nothing I’m concerned with this weekend.
Notre Dame wide receivers. Last week we saw Chase Claypool take a step forward and saw Equanimeous St. Brown have his best game of the season. This week we could see the return of Kevin Stepherson in some capacity. The sophomore who’s been in exile for the first three games should see the field but it would still be a shock if he had a major role in the game plan. Add all this up though and we should see the wide receiving corps continue to take shape this evening.
Prediction Time
Notre Dame wins this one easily this weekend. Kelly respects Martin too much to run up the score, but Kelly also respects that he needs to keep his job so he won’t take it easy on them either. If the Notre Dame passing game were in better shape at this point, maybe Notre Dame just runs the ball today, but they need to pass the ball to keep the momentum from last week going. Brandon Wimbush could have his best game of the season today as Notre Dame deploys a balanced attack.
Defensively, Chuck Martin’s RedHawks will have a tough time moving the ball on Mike Elko’s defense. Miami will get a couple early field goals and then a late touchdown once the Irish starters are off the field.
Prediction:Â Notre Dame 49, Miami 13
Preseason Prediction: Notre Dame 42, Miami 17
Yearly Prediction Summary
| Game | Pre-Season | Game Week | Actual Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 12: Stanford | ND 24-21 | ND 31-17 | |
| Week 11: Navy | ND 49-17 | ND 45-24 | ND 24-17 |
| Week 10: Miami | ND 31-27 | ND 38-24 | UM 41-8 |
| Week 9: Wake Forest | ND 34-24 | ND 42-13 | ND 48-37 |
| Week 8: #14 NC State | ND 34-17 | ND 34-24 | ND 35-14 |
| Week 7: #21 USC | USC 38-24 | ND 34-31 | ND 49-14 |
| Week 6: North Carolina | ND 31-21 | ND 41-17 | ND 33-10 |
| Week 5: Miami OH | ND 42-17 | ND 49-13 | ND 52-17 |
| Week 4: #16 Michigan State | ND 24-13 | ND 30-28 | ND 38-18 |
| Week 3: Boston College | ND 35-10 | ND 35-10 | ND 49-20 |
| Week 2: #3 Georgia | UGA 29-27 | UGA 29-27 | UGA 20-19 |
| Week 1: Temple | ND 31-21 | ND 31-21 | ND 49-16 |
No, GK, who started the sardonic BS about my in-game “updates” and you being too busy with cleaning your gutters?!
But, for the sake of argument, maybe I mistook your comments for personal insults. OK, if I did, then my bad and I apologize.
I can guarantee to, GK, that I have extended more olive branches on this site than anyone else. Sadly, those like the asswhipe “Burgy” dismiss my overtures. Some like “Bad Breath” even take my attempts at reconciliation as a sign that they “won” the internet for a day. No doubt dancing around in their underwear in their mom’s basement.
So, hopefully, you’re true to your word and it’s not personal. I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt.
GO IRISH!
SFR, I tried to be congenial. However YOU always descend into the trash talk. I’m merely defending myself. Nothing personal. See you next week at Kitty Hawk.
“Burgy,”
That big, black stogie you like to suck on too intense for you?!
How did FIU do? Is Butch going to be in a good mood for you tonight? Go get you some, stud!
GK, Sure glad we got Stepherson back today. He looked good.
SFR,
Actually this was meant for another poster, but, He has seemingly censored himself, you are very deserving instead. Since you have graffitied this board for so long you should go to graduate school in Singapore.
Don’t dissemble now, GK, you know well you called me out by name. So don’t punk out now.
As for this board, I guess you must be new on here. Believe me others “graffitied” it long before I ever did.
Also, I’ve never started a pissing contest on here. However, I’ve ended them. I dare you to find one person here who has addressed me politely whom I have attacked. Now, if you want to dance, well, then, let’s go.
So you want to have a congenial discussion, then don’t try me, GK. You want to play at internet tough guy, so be it.
I leave the ball in your court. You want to continue the smackdown, so be it. You want to hit the reset button and start over in a polite manner, I welcome that too.
You make the call, GK.
Whoa. Intense stuff here for sure.
GK, Were you talking about David? I hope you are not comparing SFR to David! That doesn’t even make sense!
BGC
La Crosse, IN
Good one, GK! About the smartest thing you’ve ever said, really, ever, which ain’t saying much coming from you.
How’s the pole shining coming there, stud? I hear you enjoy shining poles better than watching ND football?
SFR, Hear there is a need for a deaf and dumb guy to introduce the Trojans long snapper when they come to town. You are overly qualified.
Believe me, GK, I’ve out-matched much better than you on this site for years.
You keep trying, though. Make that your Plan C after shining poles!
Let me reiterate for the likes of GK, this ND team has a lot of holes on both sides of the ball. The passing game is mediocre at best. The pass D is suspect. When was the last time Miami (OH) punted?
Plus, ND better hope a game doesn’t come down to Yoon making a 45-yard FG. He’s not very good from that range.
SFR, Wrong Kelly. It was Alvin Kelly you were dreaming of. Georgia making us look good, slaughtering Vols.
Tell me when they slaughter Bama, GK.
SFR – They will beat Bama to win the SEC title…but nobody slaughters Bama. Nobody. They will, however, slaughter everyone else on their schedule, unless GT gets them with the flexbone (again).
BGC
BGC,
I hope you’re right.
You, sir, are a true gentleman and scholar, and I always look forward to your enlightening posts.
GO IRISH!
Nope, you’re the pole polisher I was thinking about, GK.
Perhaps you and “Burgy” can hook up sometime. I hear he likes smoking big, black stogies. Both of you seem to be stuck in your phallic stage of development.
You guys can watch FIU games together.
This is exactly what ND should do to a much inferior team. Given past performances in spots like this it’s worth pointing out that the Irish are taking care of business.
Having said that, Miami (OH) isn’t an elite team. “Big Ben” isn’t at QB today for the Redhawks.
Let’s see how this Irish team fares against the other Miami in S. FL.
Will there be FIU updates later tonight as well?
Why do you care about FIU, “Burgy.” Are you having sodomite fantasies about Butch Davis again?
There’s something called the internet, “Burgy.” Use it for something other than looking at gay porn.
GK, Nice plan B. Pole polishing
Plan B planning is critical. We’ve learned that from someone special on here.
SFR, just read the gutter leaves and tell me we will be moving into Sagarins Elite ten. Johnny Kelley was the flag pole sitter you were thinking about, no relation.
GK, just crown the Irish right now! Wow, Sagarins Elite Ten, really?!. That’s awesome! I guess Bama must be shaking in their cleats just thinking about that!
Great we are down to 1 running back.
The D has generated some pressure but not enough. This isn’t a great D. It reminds me of the 2012 unit which was waxed by Bama when it counted.
Ask GK what he thinks after he finishes stroking his flag pole or whatever else he’s using to pleasure himself. But then again he knows more about polishing poles than he does about ND football.
How does our fromt four get zero pressure on the quarterback.
Hey, GK, just in case you missed it while pleasuring yourself with your rain shutters, the mighty Redhawks just went thru the ND D like it wasn’t there.
But let’s keep telling ourselves this is a great D. Makes for a good story for the true believers at least.
GK,
Whatever…..
ND taking care of business like it should.
How would they look against a top 10 team? Maybe your rain gutters have an opinion. Why don’t you ask them since you seem to spend more time with them than watching ND football. It shows, GK!
How would they look against a top ten team? Watch the Georgia game replay and see for yourself.
BGC
SFR, sorry to bother you again, but can’t pull in the game. I’ll just have to clean out my rain gutter and then check your distinguished updates, thanks.
This passing game is pee-wee league level!
Is EQSB still on this team?!
This isn’t an elite team because there is no balance on O and I’m still not sold on this D against a high-powered O.
Right now the passing game is improved but very far from reliable. We need to get BW settled down and a lot more consistent…SFR is 100% right to point to it as a weakness. The only other weakness I see is NW in pass coverage. He’s where he needs to be, he’s there, but he does not finish…he plays blind and gets burned…he needs to see the ball coming and fight for it…only a minor adjustment, but some guys can never make it.
BGC ’77 ’82
Yup, sure enough, no go on the old mo.
Way to keep an inferior opponent in a game.
We’ve seen this game too many times in this stadium where an over-matched team sticks around and sticks around only to end up sticking it to ND.
Typical ND fast start. Let’s see if they keep it rolling on both sides of the ball.
It is an absolutely gorgeous day in North Central Indiana! I’m not going to this game because I had another commitment but it is perfect football weather (though there is a bit of wind where I live, about 60 miles south and west from ND). But man, what great weather…exactly what those big linemen love…just cool enough to keep you from getting gassed, but still nice and sunny. Heck, even some of the SELLOUTS might show up for this one!
BGC
Shocker Alert! Notre Dame beats a lesser talented team easily at home. 35-14 Irish
%#€+¥£< me Freddie! The Dukes are a lowly 67th and next weeks Lying in wait 1-3 Tar Heels are 50th. Sorry, about the mixup.
Actually James Madison would have been a better matchup today. Dukes are about 50th in Sagarins list. The Redhawks are 104. btw, we are 11th and climbing. Frank don’t feel bad about last week. You will be 5-0 after today.
I would like to see Brandon throw it more than 20 times and at least get to target Stepherson on a few. I think your final score is spot on. My enthusiasm has been a little deflated by the loss of USC. I really wanted then to ride into town undefeated and top 5.
Screw USC.
BGC ’77 ’82