ISD Game Predictions: Temple
It’s that time again, ISD game prediction time. The Irish need to start 2017 with some positive momentum after a long off season. Will Notre Dame come out firing on all cylinders? Will the Owls surprise ND again? Here is what the ISD thinks.
Mike Frank
I think ND will come out with a lot of energy, but I think it may be a bit of a slow start on offense. Notre Dame will try to establish the run early, and Temple will load the box knowing that the Irish will want to run the football. I expect a few stalled drives in the first half, but I also expect the Irish to put it together in the second half.
EQ St. Brown gets off to a hot start with two receiving TDs, and Brandon Wimbush finds the end zone with his legs to go along with two throwing TDs.
The Irish defense plays sound, aggressive defense and overwhelms a new starter at QB for the Owls.
Notre Dame: 30 Temple: 13
Jamie Uyeyama
The Irish will be up and down on offense in week one, but we'll see some big time flashes from Brandon Wimbush in this game. I do expect them to settle in and finish with the arrow pointing up and closing out the 4th quarter in a strong way with the running game. This being the first big game for so many players in Temple's front seven matters in my opinion. We might see some positives from them, but mistakes are going to happen and the Irish will take advantage.
I don't think the inconsistency on that side of the ball will matter as much because Temple's offense will struggle to score. They have some receivers that can make some plays. I'm just not all that confident that the quarterbacks are going to be able to deliver the ball to them consistently. I expect a strong debut from Mike Elko's defense with them deflecting some passes at the line of scrimmage and disrupting the Owls quick passing game. In the end, I think Irish win this one fairly comfortably.
Notre Dame: 31 Temple: 13
Christian McCollum
Like many openers in years past, this isn’t what Brian Kelly would call a “clean performance,” but it’s plenty good enough. The Irish don’t get out of the gates quickly on either side of the ball, allowing the Owls to hang around in the first half.
In his first game as the starting quarterback for the Irish, Brandon Wimbush shows flashes of his potential, but also misses on some key third-down passes and has a costly turnover right before the half. The running back trio of Josh Adams, Tony Jones Jr. and Dexter Williams carry the offense as Notre Dame takes a 14-10 lead into intermission.
Wimbush leads the offense to two touchdown drives in the third quarter and another on the first drive of the fourth to put the game away. Equanimeous St. Brown cements his status as Wimbush’s favorite target, but tight end Alize’ Mack also makes a huge impact in his return, catching two touchdown passes.
Linebacker Nyles Morgan leads the Irish defense in tackles while Rover Drue Tranquill comes up with an interception and a fumble recovery in the second half to put the game away.
Notre Dame: 35 Temple: 17
Matt Freeman
Notre Dame has heard it all over the last nine months and will get its first chance to show the country they aren’t a 4-8 team from a year ago. The Irish start fast and they start strong.
The Notre Dame offense comes out rolling on all cylinders led by Brandon Wimbush. Notre Dame fans will get to see the talent of Tony Jones Jr. early in the game and will come away impressed with the running style of the sophomore running back, but his deceptive athleticism.
The Irish defense starts the game with a sack and it’s all downhill for the Owls from there. Notre Dame shows it can force turnovers and tackle with consistency on the opening week. Troy Pride Jr. gets a pick six to push the game out of reach in the second half.
Notre Dame: 54 Temple: 14