Notre Dame Football

Official Game Thread: Miami (Ohio) (2-2) vs #22 Notre Dame (3-1)

By Matt Freeman

September 29, 2017

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Miami (OH) (2-2) at #22 Notre Dame (3-1)

Spartan Stadium | 5:00 p.m. ET | NBC Sports Network

IRISH LOOKING TO SET THE STANDARD

This weekend Notre Dame is set to host Miami of Ohio and former Notre Dame assistant coach, Chuck Martin in their third home game of the season. The Irish are coming off an impressive win against Michigan State and would love to gain momentum with another victory.

Notre Dame should focus on being consistent and maintaining their production. However, Miami is going to come at the Irish with everything they have. This is the Redhawks biggest challenge on their schedule and they would love to add beating Notre Dame to their resume.

It is hard to see Notre Dame losing this one, but it is not unheard of to have a down week after such a big win. The addition of Director of Football Performance Matt Balis to the coaching staff should aid in keeping the players mentally prepared for what could be seen as a trap game.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Julian Okwara

After a great second half against Michigan State, Okwara will be looking to build off of that this week. If he doesn't add to his sack total, he should at least be able to get pressure on quarterback Gus Ragland to get him off his game.

Chase Claypool

Coming off the best game of his career, this should be an opportunity for Claypool to emerge as the number two option after Equanimeous St. Brown. Look for more targets to head his way.

Alize Mack

Quietly improving as a pass blocker, could this be the week that Mack gets into the end zone? He has caught the ball a lot better the last couple of weeks and should have chances after the catch.

Julian Love

His pick-six grabbed the headlines, but his overall play was very good minus the one touchdown he gave up. Miami loves to throw up jump balls to its big receivers so Love will have to be on his game to defend against it.

Kevin Stepherson

The speedster will make his highly anticipated debut. It's expected that the he won't play often in this game, but it wouldn't surprise anyone for them to take at least one deep shot down the field with him. It should likely only be a taste of things to come for Stepherson this season.