GAME THREAD | No. 16 BYU vs. Notre Dame

No. 16 BYU (4-1) vs. Notre Dame (2-2) | Shamrock Series  

Allegiant Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET | NBC | Notre Dame -3.5 | O/U: 51.0

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VEGAS.

Notre Dame has fought its way back to .500 and will have a chance to make a statement against No. 16 BYU on Saturday evening in Las Vegas. The key to the game is simple. Run the ball. Tommy Rees’ offense doesn’t need to rack up 287 rushing yards against the Cougars, but the Irish run game needs to set the tone as BYU will be loading the box early in this one. 

On defense, Notre Dame will need to find a way to get BYU quarterback Jaren Hall uncomfortable as he’s thrown for over 1,400 yards, 12 touchdowns and just one interception. Hall will certainly be looking to solidify his draft stock and Notre Dame certainly brings the bright lights.

One difference that favors Notre Dame is the Irish have more pure athletes and speed than the Cougars. The same could be said for Marshall and Cal, but the Irish have confidence and it could be a big night for Lorenzo Styles on the outside. 

Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame RB Audric Estime 
Estime had the first 100-yard rushing game of his career and there's a good chance he can make it two against BYU. Their run defense has been suspect and if the line continues to block well, Estime could go off.

BYU LB Max Tooley
A playmaker who has two pick sixes this season. He plays on the edge and can go over it at times so don't be surprised to see him mixing it up with Notre Dame's offensive line frequently.

Notre Dame DE Justin Ademilola
Isaiah Foskey has been fantastic the last two games, but don't sleep on what Ademilola is doing. He leads the Notre Dame defensive line in pressure rate. They'll need him to affect QB Jaren Hall as much as possible.

BYU WR Gunner Romney
This will be only his second game back from injury and he should be featured more than he was last week. They will take deep shots with him and he can really run (4.4 speed). 

Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison
Now officially a starter at corner, Morrison has been impressive as a true freshman and he'll be matched up against a handful of talented BYU receivers. Look for BYU to test him early on. 

Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman: 
”You want to build off the momentum, but to me, it's the challenge to really reevaluate and assess where you are after each game. You have a week off, but to me, let's evaluate the past, evaluate how we can improve and ultimately put all of our energy and emotion into this game. 

"It's going to be about the preparation. I say it every week. It's the challenge to focus on the things that help you get the desired result. It's how we prepare. Saturday will come.” 

Notre Dame OC Tommy Rees:
“You're seeing the dividends pay off the more time they have together, the more the communication. You see a more confident, more communicative Zeke Correll. You're seeing tackles that are trusting what they're doing and playing to their abilities. You're seeing two veteran guys inside really own the group and demand the expectations of everybody. That position group especially takes time to jell. We're on week 4 of those guys really playing together. We're excited about the progress. If you guys know Coach Harry Hiestand, coach ain't going to stop."

Notre Dame DL Coach Al Washington:
“Those guys up front, they hear what's going on in the back end. They get the issues. Every play, every formation these issues — they're aware of them. So, when I'm rushing, I'm trying to relieve my brother. They are aware. The back end is aware of the challenges we have. 

“The quarterback we're about to play makes good decisions. He can hurt you with his feet. He's not going to give you much. So, they're aware of the issues we've got. So, I think that awareness and really being selfless has allowed us to have success. And it's really the whole unit. It sounds cliche, but it's real. It's real." 

Notre Dame OL Jarrett Patterson:
”I think that last drive was a tone-setter for us. I think the last 24 plays of the game there's 23 runs called and one pass. You don't really think about that at the time, but when you kind of look back at it, it's like man, we can do this. We can be the group that we talked about throughout the offseason and now.”

Notre Dame RB Audric Estime:
“We’re going out there for one mission. I just have one thing in mind: to execute and do our job and come out victorious. That’s the only thing that’s on my mind. I really have tunnel vision right now on the ultimate goal that we have.”

For Your Nerves 

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