(Photo: Clutchpoints)
Saturday Spotlight
(11) Notre Dame Fighting Irish at (17) Duke Blue Devils
Notre Dame: Last weekend was as tough of a loss as it gets. They did everything to win that game and if last weekend taught you anything, it showed you how much I’m not a fan of prevent defenses. When it mattered most, they had the biggest mental lapse of the game and that was when they came on the field with ten guys before the Ohio State Buckeyes scored the walk off touchdown to win the game. That was the best football game I’ve seen all season long and I was beyond honored to preview that one. While their defense did all they could to win that game, it was the inefficient offensive play that kept them for getting where they needed to be. You bought Sam Hartman to South Bend for those games and he struggled throwing only for 176 yards passing. A primetime showdown with another blue blood and they couldn’t get the job done. I was on the edge of my seat watching the game. The Fighting Irish didn’t fall too far in the poll it appears as they went from number nine to 11 which isn’t a far drop at all. I knew Notre Dame was one of the best in the country when it came to running the football and they showed me that last Saturday in the loss. I’m not shocked that this is one of the best defenses in college football, especially with Marcus Freeman as their Head Coach. From here on out, each game is important, especially if they want to fight back into the playoff picture. Tonight, they’ll face one of the more pleasant surprises in all of college football.
Duke: If you follow this university, what have they primarily been known for? This has been a basketball school, so I’m sure at times the football program can be an afterthought and I could understand why. Look at all the big time names and Hall of Famers that played for them on the basketball court. Now, back to football. Last season, they finished 9-4 and a total of 18 starters from the 2022 team decided to return. Only one can expect them to get off to a strong start and this is exactly what they’ve done. What really opened my eyes about them was their week one win against a then-ninth ranked Clemson Tigers team who they just punched in the mouth. When you watch ACC football, it’s a very finesse league, but the Duke Blue Devils and their defense have changed that narrative under Head Coach, Mike Elko. Their offense has also been one to watch and it’s been anchored by the Quarterback and his name is Riley Leonard. He’s a 6’4, 212 pound guy that’s given this team hope with his arm and his legs. On the season, he’s completed close to 68 percent of his passes. Riley has also spread the football around to 11 different receivers and when I read that, I said to myself this is an offense that will get you the football if you’re open which I like because a defense isn’t able to just zoom in on one guy. He’s also hurt defenses with his feet. This is one of the more balanced offenses in the country. They average 200 yards rushing per game along with averaging 37 points per game. It’s good to see them getting some attention. Tonight, they welcome a legendary program to town.
Notre Dame X-Factor: Audric Estime– Now, he was my X factor last weekend against Ohio State and he’s the guy I’m watching once again in this game tonight. Feed this kid the football and let him work. If you watched that game last weekend, good things happened when they allowed him to carry the ball and they established the run. I say this often. If something is working for you, why get away from it? That’s exactly what happened in week four. Get the ball to Audric. He leads the nation in rushing yards.
Duke X-Factor: Jaylen Stinson– He’s a smaller Safety, but don’t let that fool you. Standing at only 5’8, Jaylen is a big time presence on the backend of that Duke defense. He’s a tackling machine that plays with that strong nose for the football. Jaylen has made at least five tackles in Duke’s first four games. He’s a key contributor to a defense that’s been one of the best in the red zone and ranked fourth in passing yards allowed.
Three Things I’m Watching
1. Bounceback Sam– Sam Hartman didn’t look the best last weekend, so I’m anxious to see how he looks tonight. Ohio State has one of the best pass defense and so do these Blue Devils. He didn’t look bad last week, but he didn’t play well enough to win that football game. How does he come out in this one and most importantly, how will he attempt to move the ball on a defense that’s been solid all around is what I’ll be watching.
2. Test– This will definitely be a test for this Blue Devils team and I say that because they haven’t played a team of Notre Dame’s caliber all year long. Yes, they beat Clemson, but be honest with yourself, that’s not as strong of a football team as they’ve been in years past. I expect a very focused Irish team to come out for this game. I also want to see how the Notre Dame defense will look to attack Leonard.
3. ACC Stock– The Irish have dominated each time they play an ACC opponent. They have won 29 straight regular season games against ACC opponents, a streak that extends back to 2017. They have overwhelmed much of the conference and this includes a 9-0 record in 2020 when they played an ACC schedule during the pandemic. Since 2014, they have a record of 41-7 and this also includes a 33-1 record since 2017.
Final Thoughts: This is a huge game for both teams in all honesty. Notre Dame is looking to bounce back after suffering heartbreak last weekend and Duke wants to show they are for real. This is an entertaining Quarterback battle between Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard. I can’t say it enough. Notre Dame must run the football because that will open up the passing lanes for Hartman and the aerial attack. Duke will also have to establish the run to keep Hartman on the sidelines. The key matchup to watch will be the Duke Offensive Line against that Notre Dame defensive front. Who wins that war in the trenches? Duke will win if the defense pressures Hartman and gets him off his rhythm. I like Notre Dame to get back on track tonight.
Prediction: Notre Dame 34, Duke 24
