Tag: Nd Football

Notre Dame vs Central Michigan: Pick Your Narrative

How do you feel about Notre Dame’s chances to take down Ohio State?

Notre Dame officially accomplished their biggest initial goal of the 2023 season. Entering the Ohio State matchup undefeated. In fact, when looking at scores alone, none of the first ramp-up month of games ended that close. Notre Dame has taken care of business. They’ve allowed next week to become in reality what it’s been in theory for literally years. A good old-fashioned midwestern war on the national stage.

As I’ve been saying for years in my videos, nothing is ever black and white with Notre Dame. There’s always room for nuance, always. I ask Irish fans the following question. Do you feel better, worse, or the same about Notre Dame’s chances to take down Ohio State after seeing the Central Michigan game?

Notre Dame football moves up in latest US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 3

The Irish move up in the coaches poll

[autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] has started the season 4-0 and that good start has impressed enough for them to move up in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll.

The Irish took care of Central Michigan fairly easily, defeating the visitors 41-17 behind three touchdowns from quarterback [autotag]Sam Hartman[/autotag] and running back [autotag]Audric Estime[/autotag] rushing for a career high 176 yards and a score.

There weren’t too many upsets to shake up the rankings this weekend. Unranked Florida defeated then-No. 11 Tennessee, and Missouri knocked off then-No. 15 Kansas State on a last-second field goal.

Plenty of teams struggled to defeat lesser opponents which led to some movement in the rankings. Find out below where the Irish and the rest of the teams ranked in the latest coaches poll.

Hidden plays that helped Notre Dame football defeat Central Michigan

Which of the smaller plays stood out in Notre Dame’s win over Central Michigan

[autotag]Notre Dame Football[/autotag] improved to 4-0 on the 2023 season, defeating [autotag]Central Michigan[/autotag] in South Bend by a score of 41-17.

The Irish once again put up a ton of points, while allowing much less and cruising to a victory. It wasn’t just a bunch of touchdowns and turnovers that helped Notre Dame get the win, there were some smaller plays that made a big different in the long run.

Let’s take a look at some of those plays, five of them, that in my eyes made the difference, even though they will not show up on highlight shows when we look back at this contest.

5-stars: The best and worst of Notre Dame’s win over Central Michigan

Who did well? Who didn’t in Notre Dame’s win over Central Michigan

[autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] has defeated [autotag]Central Michigan[/autotag] 41-17 and improved to 4-0 on the young 2023 season.

The Irish have been scoring plenty of points, 40-plus points in every game so far. The defense was stellar through two games, and finally gave up a touchdown last week, before allowing two more today.

Ultimately, those two scores plus a field goal wouldn’t be nearly enough to take down the Irish this afternoon.

There was a whole lot of good that came out of the Irish’s win today, so let’s dig a bit deeper into who played well, 5-stars, and who didn’t, star, in Notre Dame’s win over visiting Central Michigan.

Central Michigan’s starting quarterback will not play against Notre Dame

Bad news for the Chips

The already undermanned [autotag]Central Michigan[/autotag] offense will be without its starting quarterback against [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] on Saturday.

According to a report from Tom Noie, Chippewas projected starter [autotag]Bert Emanuel Jr.[/autotag] has fallen ill and will not start against the Irish. The news also comes with the fact that [autotag]Jase Bauer[/autotag] was listed as or on their depth chart, meaning either could have started.

Bauer has attempted just nine passes this season, completing three of them for 20 yards. He has not thrown a touchdown or interception. Last year Bauer completed 59.3% of his attempts with five interceptions to just one touchdown. It very well could be a very big day for the Irish secondary with this news.

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Another Notre Dame football starter out against Central Michigan

The Irish are down another starter on Saturday

We knew earlier in the week that [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] would be without linebacker [autotag]JD Bertrand[/autotag].

What we didn’t know was [autotag]Mitchell Evans[/autotag] would join the Irish captain on the unavailable list against Central Michigan. Luckily for Notre Dame, [autotag]Holden Staes[/autotag] had a mini-breakout against NC State.

What’s interesting is when this week’s depth chart was release, Evans was tight end  No. 1, but the Irish now look to Staes along with [autotag]Davis Sherwood[/autotag], who also scored a touchdown last week, to replace him.

As for Bertrand, [autotag]Drayk Bowen[/autotag] is listed behind him, and it would be the first start for the true freshman.

The Irish will kick off the game against the Chippewas at 2:30 p.m. ET.

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Is it Tyler Buchner time for Alabama football?

The former Irish quarterback might be starting for the Crimson Tide this weekend

As we have seen early with the 2023 season, the former [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] combo of offensive coordinator [autotag]Tommy Rees[/autotag] and quarterback [autotag]Tyler Buchner[/autotag] hasn’t gone according to plan.

That might be changing soon, as there have been reports that Buchner is trending to start this weekend, taking over the starting job from [autotag]Jalen Milroe[/autotag]. Alabama suffered their first loss of the season last weekend, at home to an improving Texas team, which many have sparked the idea to start Buchner.

Although the news isn’t confirmed that Buchner will once again be leading Rees’ offense, there are rumors that the former Irish quarterback was taking the majority of reps with the first team this week.

If you are like me, you’re laughing at the quarterback situation in Tuscaloosa as the current Notre Dame regime has seemingly fixed their issues starting with transfer Sam Hartman and the recruitment of Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr.

Look a bit familiar Tommy?

UPDATE: Our sister site, RollTide Wire is reporting that Buchner will start.

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Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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Notre Dame vs Central Michigan: Irish Face Unique Mental Test

It might not be a marquee matchup but it does pose a unique test for the Irish…

After a wet, wild, and adventurous journey to the Carolinas, the Irish return home this Saturday to take on Central Michigan. This will be Notre Dame’s last chance to “tune up” before the Buckeyes visit the following week. If there are specific points of emphasis the staff wishes to push, this is the time for it.

One question I have is one I ask half facetiously, and half completely serious. How much of the tailgate talk leading up to this game will actually be about this game and not the one coming next? Notre Dame has much work to be done in this game. Nothing should be taken for granted.

Let’s examine some areas of confidence and concern regarding the Irish this week.

Notre Dame’s Priorities for Central Michigan game

Priorities. Not next week – this week.

Notre Dame must stay focused this week as they host Central Michigan. The players must resist the urge to “look ahead” to Ohio State and forget the task at hand. The reality is, we may learn a lot about the Irish this week. How sharp will they look in their final contest before the one that has been circled on the calendar for years?

Certainly, getting a win is and should always be the first and foremost priority in any game. But should the game get out of hand in the Irish’s favor, which is the expectation, what should the Irish try and focus on?

Know your foe, Central Michigan: Which Chips can give Notre Dame issues

The Chips have more than a few play makers the Irish will have to contend with

For the third game this fall, [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] is a major favorite and should easily get a victory against [autotag]Central Michigan[/autotag].

That doesn’t mean that the visiting Chippewas will just roll over and let the Irish get the win. They still have plenty to play for, so early in the season.

They visiting CMU squad has more than a few play makers on their team that could potentially give Notre Dame a few issues on their way to win No. 4. Here are a few of those Chips that could be a thorn in the Irish’s side and won’t make things easy on Saturday.