Notre Dame Football Primer: Irish host Boston College in 29th Holy War

The Fighting Irish are seeking their 11th straight win over the Boston College Eagles.

After a season defining victory over the #1 Miami Hurricanes, Marcus Freeman must refocus the team against the upset-minded Boston College Eagles. Bill O’Brien’s team gave the Fighting Irish all they wanted in Chestnut Hill a year ago, and the Irish must bounce back quickly. CJ Carr catapulted himself to the top of the Heisman race against Miami, and he has three more games left, in order to secure the Irish with a first round playoff bye or potential home playoff matchup. But, nothing in college football is guaranteed as a rivalry trophy is once again on the line this Saturday afternoon.

Essential Game Info:

• Game Time: Saturday, November 14th at 3:30 PM ET on NBC
• Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
• Matchup History: Notre Dame Football is 19-9 all-time against Boston College (Last Meeting 2025: Irish won 25 to 10)
• Trophy: Frank Leahy Memorial Bowl
• Odds: Notre Dame -29.5

Details

• Conference: ACC
• Head Coach: Bill O’Brien
• 2026 Record: 4-5 (2-4)
• 2025 Record: 2-10 (1-7)

Weather Forecast:

At the time this article was written, the current forecast calls for a 24% chance of rain with a high of 43 degrees and low of 30.

Boston College Storylines: 

The Boston College Eagles dominated this series in the early 2000’s, but have not won against the Fighting Irish since 2008. From 2001 to 2008, the Eagles won six contests in a row against the Irish, and were ranked up to #2 during the Matt Ryan era. But, the program has struggled the past two decades, even with the hire of former NFL Coach Bill O’Brien.

In their most recent games this season, the Eagles won at Georgia Tech 49 to 27, lost at Duke 47 to 2, and lost to Florida State 31 to 24. 

Boston College is led by quarterback Mason Mckenzie. This year, McKenzie is 131 for 229 (57%) with 1,616 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and 22 sacks taken. On the ground, he has 145 attempts for 676 yards (4.7 yards per carry) with 5 rushing scores.

Notre Dame Storylines: 

CJ Carr boosts himself to the top of the Heisman race. With Notre Dame fans worried about making the college football playoffs, CJ Carr’s Heisman campaign was an afterthought. It seems as though there was more hype surrounding Brady Quinn (2006) and Manti Teo (2012). Undoubtedly, winning a national championship is #1 on everyone’s priority. However,  adding an 8th Heisman trophy to the Notre Dame legacy would be special, because no one knows what the postseason holds.

This season, the Notre Dame quarterback is 177 for 262 (68%) with 2,168 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and only 2 sacks taken. On the ground, he has 89 yards and 3 rushing scores. If he can continue his pace these next three weeks, he will certainly be invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony.

Chris Ash passed the test on Saturday night. Not only did Coach Ash slow down one of the best teams in the country, he did with half the Irish Defense sidelined due to injury. There were times when Notre Dame was without their three top cornerbacks, best safety, two interior lineman, and captain linebacker. 

Perhaps the most exciting part of the game was the aggressive man to man coverage, and blitzing defense Chris Ash imposed. If the Fighting Irish can get healthy on defense, they should be one of the national title favorites alongside Georgia.

Head-to-Head Matchups:

Notre Dame Offense vs. Boston College Defense: The Fighting Irish Offense is averaging 439 yards per matchup, while the Eagles Defense is allowing 344 yards per game.

This Notre Dame Offense has become more dynamic each week with more receivers stepping up, alongside running backs Nolan James Jr. and Jonaz Walton.

The Eagles Defense will have their hands full on Saturday afternoon.

Advantage: Notre Dame

Boston College Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense: The Eagles Offense is averaging 351 yards per contest, while the Notre Dame Defense allows 251 yards per game. 

The Boston College quarterback, Mason Mckenzie has 145 rushing attempts this year and is a true dual-threat quarterback. If the Irish play with the energy they did against Miami, they will be hard to move the football on. But, if the Eagles stay on schedule and utilize Mckenzie’s rushing ability, then Boston College might be able to keep this game closer for longer.

The Irish still have the clear advantage.

Advantage: Notre Dame 

Special Teams: Spencer Porath is 11 for 13 this Fall, with his longest make at 52 yards. Conversely, Boston College’s Luca Lombardo is 7 for 9 with his longest conversion at 52 yards.

There is no distinct special teams advantage.

Advantage: Tie

My Prediction:

With all due respect, until a few weeks ago, I had forgotten the Boston Colleges Eagles were on Notre Dame’s schedule this year. That definitely does not mean they cannot upset the Irish because they did in 1993 after Notre Dame’s big win over Florida State and the Eagles gave the Irish a tough game last year. 

But, there are three games left until the playoffs, and if the Irish play half as good as they did last Saturday, they will not have a problem. Notre Dame’s offense should play more loosely this weekend and I expect to see a big games from Carr, James Jr, and Walton.

Even with the injuries on the Notre Dame Defense, I expect them to limit the scoring from the Eagles. I have the Fighting Irish winning by 29 points.

Prediction: Notre Dame 42 Boston College 13