Category: Notre Dame

The picks are in, ESPN’s College GameDay makes their selections for today’s games

The ESPN College GameDay crew along with special guest, Master’s winner and Coastal Carolina alum Dustin Johnson pick today’s winners.

It looked like Coastal Carolina would be facing Liberty early in the week, but due to COVID-19 issues within the Liberty program, the game had to be adjusted. Their replacement, was No. 13 BYU, setting up a Top 25 matchup. ESPN’s College GameDay had already decided they would travel to Conway, South Carolina and have Dustin Johnson, Master’s winner, who was an All-American at Coastal Carolina as their guest picker. Here are Johnson’s picks along with Desmond Howard, David Pollack, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso’s winner for today’s games.

 

UCLA at Arizona State

Johnson – UCLA

Howard – UCLA

Pollack – ASU

Herbstreit – UCLA

Corso – UCLA

 

San Jose St. at Hawaii

Johnson – Hawaii

Howard – San Jose St.

Pollack – Hawaii

Herbstreit – Hawaii

Corso – San Jose St.

 

West Virginia at Iowa St.

Johnson – ISU

Howard – ISU

Pollack – ISU

Herbstreit – ISU

Corso – ISU

 

Texas at Kansas St.

Johnson – UT

Howard – UT

Pollack – UT

Herbstreit – UT

Corso – UT

 

Clemson at Virginia Tech

Johnson – Clemson

Howard – Clemson

Pollack – Clemson

Herbstreit – NO PICK

Corso – Clemson

 

Alabama at LSU

Johnson – Bama

Howard – Bama

Pollack – Bama

Herbstreit – Bama

Corso – Bama

 

Texas A&M at Auburn

Johnson – TAMU

Howard – TAMU

Pollack – TAMU

Herbstreit – Auburn

Corso – TAMU

 

Indiana at Wisconsin

Johnson – UW

Howard – UW

Pollack – IU

Herbstreit – UW

Corso – UW

 

Ohio State at Michigan State

Johnson – OSU

Howard – OSU

Pollack – OSU

Herbstreit – OSU

Corso – OSU

 

BYU at Costal Carolina

Johnson – Costal Carolina

Howard – BYU

Pollack – BYU

Herbstreit – BYU

Corso – BYU

Know your foe: Which Orangemen could cause Notre Dame problems today

A 1-9 team won’t scare many, but Syracuse still has a few playmakers on their side that could give Notre Dame problems today.

When you look over at Syracuse and see a 1-9 record, there not much fear that is going to be struck by anyone. That doesn’t mean that Dino Babers team doesn’t have playmakers on it. They certainly do, so let’s take a look at a few Orangemen that could potentially give the Irish some issues today.

Notre Dame’s offensive line named best in the country

The big guys up front for Notre Dame get some recognition from Pro Football Focus.

Although they don’t normally get much recognition, the Notre Dame offensive line continues to impress. We all knew going into the year the starting five was among the best in the country, but they still had to prove it on the field. Well, they certainly have lived up to the billing.

The Irish have graded out by Pro Football Focus as having the best offensive line in the country. Aaron Banks, Liam Eichenberg, Jarrett Patterson, Tommy Kraemer and Robert Hainsey should get the majority of credit for the group, but you can’t discount what Zeke Correll and Josh Lugg have done filling in as well.

PFF singled out Eichenberg as well, and rightfully so. That’s a extremely impressive stat not having given up a sack in over two full seasons.

The line has given time for Ian Book to find his receivers and opened up huge holes for runnings backs to run through. Kyren Williams is 10th nationally in rushing yards while the offense averages over 450 total yards a game.

Games are typically won up front, and the Irish have a distinct advantage with their offensive line.

Notre Dame in NFL: Week 12 highlights and photo’s

A look back at the best performances from former Notre Dame Football stars during week 12 of the NFL.

Every week former Notre Dame football players apply what they learned in South Bend and use it to perform in the NFL. Each week, we look back at the best performances from Irish alum and bring you highlights and photo’s of the action. This week was a bit odd as the final game was played this afternoon, but there were still plenty of big time plays from Notre Dame stars in The League.

Notre Dame vs Syracuse Prediction, Game Preview

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Syracuse Orange prediction and game preview.

Notre Dame vs Syracuse prediction and game preview.

Notre Dame vs Syracuse Broadcast

Date: Saturday, December 5
Game Time: 2:30 ET
Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN
Network: NBC

[jwplayer CkJF0b95]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Notre Dame (9-0) vs Syracuse (1-9) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Syracuse Will Win

How much will Notre Dame push it?

Thanks to a cookie given the Irish by the ACC, this is it. This is the team’s final game before getting to rest up and go play in the ACC Championship game – Clemson and Miami are getting similar breaks after their respective games this weekend – and the last thing anyone wants is an injury to screw this up.

That’s not to say Notre Dame won’t try – a close win over a bad Orange team won’t be a plus in the College Football Playoff beauty contest – but there should be a feeling of get in, get it over with, and be done.

The Orange came up with a good day against the NC State ground game last week, and they were a +2 in turnover margin. Even after losing a few key parts, the defense still leads the ACC in takeaways.

– CFN Experts Picks: Week 14

Why Notre Dame Will Win

Syracuse is struggling a wee bit to run the ball.

The Orange are dead last in the ACC with just 78 rushing yards per game, hitting the 100-yard mark just twice. Last week against NC State?

3.

Three yards in the 36-29 loss to the Wolfpack behind a line that can’t generate any sort of a consistent push, has been horrible in pass protection, and now has to deal with a Notre Dame defensive front that’s not giving up a thing.

The line hasn’t allowed 100 yards in any of the last six games, stuffed the high-powered North Carolina ground attack, and will once again be a brick wall.

Bet $1 on the Notre Dame money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if Notre Dame scores a touchdown this weekend. Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV at BetMGM. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

What’s Going To Happen

Syracuse won’t need to spike the ball on fourth down this week as Notre Dame gets up early and rolls at will. However, as ugly as the season has been for the Orange, they have yet to get blown away by more than 30.

They’ll struggle to move the ball, and the Irish lines will dominate throughout, but this will be an businesslike performance for a team that’s ready to go prepare for one very, very big game.

Notre Dame vs Syracuse Prediction, Line

Notre Dame 45, Syracuse 13
Bet on Notre Dame vs Syracuse with BetMGM
Notre Dame -33.5, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: Gangs of London
1: Hillbilly Elegy

CFN 1-127 Rankings | Bowl & CFP Projections

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

What to expect in the second College Football Playoff rankings

The second rankings of the College Football Playoffs will be released tonight and here are a few things that you could see when they’re released.

As always, another wild week of college football occurred prior to the College Football Playoff committee meeting again prior to their release of their second set of rankings for the year. There were some upsets, No. 8 Northwestern losing to Michigan State and blowouts, No. 3 Clemson saw the return of star quarterback Trevor Lawrence and trounced Pittsburgh. Here are a few guesses at what you might see tonight when the committee reranks the top 25 teams.

Brian Kelly: Notre Dame played best half of season vs UNC

Notre Dame’s head coach Brian Kelly believes the second half against North Carolina was the best two consecutive quarters the Irish have played all year.

[jwplayer bs7LlveX]

When Brian Kelly met with the media this morning, he led off with a very intriguing statement. After a second half against North Carolina that saw the Irish post a 14-0 win in the two quarters, Kelly was adamant that it was the best half the Irish played all year.

“But I think the most important thing for us is to carry on the play that we exhibited in the second half of the game against North Carolina… the style of play, one that I think was arguably our best two quarters of the season.”

It was a mix of a devastating defense with the offense was able to move the ball well enough to score two touchdowns. You can make an argument that the second half against Pittsburgh was in the same vein, a 17-0 surge that the Irish finished off an impressive 45-3 victory in.

You have to take into account the opponent however, as the Tar Heels are much better than the Panthers. Same can be said about the shutout against South Florida, a complete set of halves but the Bulls aren’t on the same level as UNC.

Kelly wants to use this momentum into this weekends contest against Syracuse and rightfully so. This team is playing with a determination that hasn’t been seen in more than a few years. Yes, 2018 was a great season, but Clemson showed the Irish weren’t quite there yet. Same goes for 2012 against Alabama.

Those demons have partially been erased, but a rematch against the Tigers in the ACC title game looks like the road the Irish will need to take. The good new is that with the initial win over Clemson, Notre Dame has a bit of a cushion going into the title game. That is the best win in all of college football this year, and the College Football Playoff committee knows it.

Notre Dame inches closer to No. 1 Alabama in latest Amway Coaches Poll

The updated Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports doesn’t see much change inside the top 10.

Notre Dame headed to Chapel Hill in what many called a trap game against former No. 23 North Carolina. That’s exactly what it wasn’t, as the Irish continued their impressive run of play, staying undefeated in winning 31-17 over the Tar Heels.

That win was enough to catch some attention in the latest Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports as the Irish didn’t move up, but garnered more votes than they did last week.

Around the ACC, No. 4 Clemson saw the return of all-world quarterback Trevor Lawrence and blew out Pittsburgh, 52-17. Miami, FL, the No. 9 team,  the only other conference team ranked inside the Amway Coaches Poll.

Nationally, No. 13 Northwestern was upended in East Lansing, falling the Michigan State 29-20, giving them their first loss of the year. Iowa State, ranked No. 15, continues it’s impressive run as they defeated No. 21Texas in Memorial Stadium, 23-20. Oregon State upended No. 11 Oregon in their unnamed rivalry game, 41-38 on Friday night. No. 1 Alabama blew out their rivals No. 19 Auburn, 42-13, with head coach Nick Saban watching from home as he tested positive for COVID-19 this week.

Former No. 3 Ohio State dropped one spot after having their game against Illinois canceled due to a spread of COVID-19 this week. It was Clemson’s gain here, as they now hold the same ranking in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Here is the updated Coaches Poll, with ACC teams in bold and last weeks ranking in parenthesis.

1 Alabama (1)

2 Notre Dame (2)

3 Clemson (4)

4 Ohio State (3)

5 Florida (5)

6 Texas A&M (6)

7 Cincinnati (7)

8 BYU (8)

9 Miami, FL (9)

10 Georgia (10)

11 Indiana (12)

12 Iowa State (15)

13 Oklahoma (14)

14 Coastal Carolina (17)

15 Marshall (16)

16 USC (18)

17 Northwestern (14)

18 Oklahoma St (22)

19 Wisconsin (20)

20 Oregon (11)

21 Louisiana-Lafayette (24)

22 Tulsa (25)

23 Washington (NR)

24 Iowa (NR)

25 Liberty (NR)

Dropped out: No. 19 Auburn, No. 21 Texas, No. 23 North Carolina

 

Tweet, tweet! The best Notre Dame tweets in the second half vs UNC

A compilation of the best Notre Dame themed tweet during the second half of their road contest against North Carolina.

The first half started out fast, then both teams slowed down before ending in a 17-17 tie at halftime. The Irish are in a dogfight and here are the best Notre Dame themed tweets from the second half of the game against North Carolina.

5 Stars, the best and worst of Notre Dames 31-17 win against UNC

The best and worst performances from Notre Dame in their win over North Carolina.

It sure wasn’t pretty for the Irish, but we knew that North Carolina would be up to the challenge and present a tough challenge. There was obviously some rust from having a bye week, but once the Irish shook that off, they were able to take control of the game in the second half. Notre Dame earned a tough 31-17 win against the Tar Heels. Here are the best, 5 star, and worst, 1 star, performances for the Irish today.