WAKE UP CALL FOR ND
DEACONS HOST IRISH’S FIRST ROAD GAME OF SEASON. CAN THEY PULL UPSET?
KEYS FOR NOTRE DAME
Improve red-zone execution: The Fighting Irish moved the ball well between the 20-yard-lines in edging Vanderbilt, but had to settle for four field-goal attempts in the red zone. That’s a major step back from last season when they scored touchdowns 76 percent of the time in the red zone. More big plays by Jalen Elliott: The junior safety has been a blessing for Notre Dame the last two games with his big defensive plays. Elliott’s big hit with 1:07 to play against Vanderbilt knocked the ball away from a receiver on a gameclinching fourth-down play.
KEYS FOR WAKE FOREST
Stop explosive plays: The Deacons gave up an average of 7.6 yards per play in last week’s loss against Boston College. Most of that was due to big scoring plays. The Eagles tallied touchdowns on plays of 45, 27, 35, 29, 71 and 40 yards, the final five of those on passes. Notre Dame is still developing as an offense, but has the talent to duplicate BC’s performance if Wake isn’t better on defense this week.
Protect Hartman: Wake’s veteran offensive line had struggled to keep Boston College off true freshman quarterback Sam Hartman last week. The Eagles sacked Hartman four times and had six quarterback hurries. Even a veteran quarterback would have trouble being productive under that kind of pressure.
PREDICTION
Notre Dame is playing its first road game of the season, but in cozy, friendly BB&T Field that won’t be a factor. But the Fighting Irish do need to pick things up on offense where they’ve averaged just 23 points through the first three games. This is the perfect game for the Irish to break out against a struggling Wake defense and win the first of five contests against ACC foes this season.