ISD Game Predictions: Duke
It’s Friday, and that means it’s game prediction time again. The Irish are hoping to find ways to win on the road again against the Duke Blue Devils. Duke coach, David Cutcliffe, is known for his offensive mind, but it’s the Blue Devil defense that the Irish have to be ready for on Saturday. Which team will come out on top?
Mike Frank
This game seems like it should be a fairly easy win for Notre Dame because Duke’s offense really isn’t that good, and Notre Dame’s defense appears to be back on track. However, the Irish offense seems to be in quicksand lately, unless they run tempo, and they don’t seem to do that unless they get desperate. With two starters out at offensive line, and Tony Jones still not 100 percent, I expect the Irish offense to sputter again before finding some rhythm.
The old saying “you are what you are” seems pretty fitting for Notre Dame at this point. They’re a solid football team with a struggling offense, and that usually means a lot of closer than expected games. That’s why the spread is so low in this game.
Notre Dame will win. I think it will be frustrating at times to watch, but they’ll get the offense going in the end.
Notre Dame 27 Duke 13
Matt Freeman
No one wants to see injuries and much less season-ending injuries, but in this case, it will serve as a rallying point for Notre Dame.
The loss of Tommy Kraemer and Robert Hainsey will be felt on Saturday as Duke will get pressure and it will be up to Chip Long to adjust.
However, the attention to detail is there for the Irish offense with two leaders down.
On defense, Notre Dame's defensive line comes to play similar to the Virginia game. They know they will be tested and rise to the occasion in slowing down a dual-threat quarterback.
Javon McKinley catches two touchdowns from Ian Book.
Notre Dame 27 Duke 17
Christian McCollum
Many will be in the dark thanks to the ACC Network not being completely available just yet, but this is the week, the Irish offense clicks.
OK, more like this is A week when the offense clicks as it'll take more than performance against a team near the bottom of the ACC to prove anything.
But you can only play who you play and on Saturday, the Irish will play - and beat - the Blue Devils behind a clean game from Ian Book and another solid performance from Clark Lea's unit on the other side of the ball.
Notre Dame 31 Duke 17
John Brice
Duke perpetually under David Cutcliffe is among the most well-coached, maxed-out teams in all of college football.
Troy Pride Jr. referenced it this week in meeting with media, even evoking the names of legends Eli & Peyton Manning as part of Cutcliffe’s disciples.
But Daniel Jones isn’t walking through that door.
These Blue Devils are solid, but their best win is against a Virginia Tech team that was unsettled at quarterback and seeking identity when those teams met.
Notre Dame’s defense has the ability to be elite, and its offense finally has all weapons available for, really, the first time all year.
I believe it’s close for a half. I think Notre Dame pulls away in the second half.
Notre Dame 31 Duke 17
Jamie Uyeyama
Duke has a good defense. They get after the quarterback and their team speed takes away the perimeter. It's a well-coached group that doesn't make many mistakes.
I don't see the Irish putting up a ton of points in this game, but I also can't see Duke putting up points against Notre Dame's defense. Quarterback Quentin Harris is too careless with the football and their offensive line is going to be overmatched.
I see Notre Dame's offense taking advantage of short fields after turnovers and winning comfortably.
Notre Dame 24 Duke 13