Don’t expect much different from Notre Dame when it plays Syracuse in its regular-season finale. A dominant defense, especially on the ground and in third-down situations, will compliment a strong rushing offense. Overall, that offense is more likely to find success on third down than not, and it has the ability to pick up score regularly. Even if it’s not facing third down, the offense will pick up first downs anyway, and it will hold onto the ball for long periods of time.
The Orange practically have nothing to counter any of that. They rank dead last nationally in time of possession, second-to-last both in total offense and giving up first downs, third-to-last in red zone offense and fourth-to-last in rushing offense and third-down conversions. All of this is why this game will be over quickly, which will be bad news for NBC’s ratings in its final Irish telecast of the year. But if you’re on the team or simply a fan, you’ll take a nice easy game before the real work begins.