NC State (4-2) at No. 16 Notre Dame (3-2)
Notre Dame Stadium | 3:30 PM ET | Peacock | Line: Notre Dame -22.5 | Total: 59.5
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Five Players To Watch
Notre Dame Edge Boubacar Traore
Traore has been one of the best players on the Irish defense this season and he only seems to get better from week to week. This could be a big game for him against the run and the pass. He could lead the way for a big day from Notre Dame's pass rush.
NC State RB Hollywood Smothers
Whether it's missed tackles forced, explosive runs, or all-purpose yards, Smothers is near the top of the list in several categories. He's been a big play waiting to happen and doesn't need much help from the NC State offensive line to make it happen. Notre Dame is going to have to be diligent in their pursuit of him and not let him breakaway for long runs. Virginia Tech contained him and that was NC State's worst day on offense this season.
Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
Price has been fantastic and his improved contact balance has helped him be even better than he was in 2024. That's bad news for NC State because they have allowed more yards after contact per attempt than any Power 4 defense this season. Expect a big day from him and Jeremiyah Love.
NC State DT Brandon Cleveland
Cleveland is a very good nose tackle and NC State's best player up front on defense. They're going to need him to have a dominant game to slow down the Irish rushing attack and get some heat on CJ Carr or else it's going to be a long day for the Wolfpack's defense.
Notre Dame S Tae Johnson
Johnson has played really well since being inserted into the starting lineup and he had his first career interception last week against Boise State. NC State QB CJ Bailey hasn't been afraid to attack the middle of the field frequently and he's capable of threading the needle with his arm talent. Johnson will get some opportunities to make plays on the football and Notre Dame will need him to.
Quotes of the Week
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
“We have to continue to pursue to the ball. There's going to be missed tackles and in any game there are missed tackles, but we have to make sure that we're gang tackling Smothers, that we're relentlessly pursuing the football. We're physical when we get there and we're taking good and proper angles. And with Bailey, you've got to try to make him uncomfortable with pre-snap reads. You got to try to get pressure on him and you can't let him escape vertically. You can't let him escape through the B-gap and run vertically to extend plays as a passer.”
Notre Dame DE Boubacar Traore:
“I feel like week by week, everyone on the defense has been progressing in the right direction, and we're just focusing on playing as a team, playing fast and playing violent.”
Notre Dame CB Christian Gray:
“What are you going to do? Are you going to fight back, or are you going to die? We just started growing with that mentality, started fighting as hard as we can, got back to our routine and our real coverages. We just became ourselves again.”
Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love:
“I have not watched Reggie Bush,” said Love. “I hear a lot about him, but I've never really seen him play for real. I know he won the Heisman, so maybe I'll have to do my research on him and look how he runs.”
For Your Nerves
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