ISD Game Predictions: Va. Tech
It’s Friday, and that means it’s game prediction time again. The Irish travel to Virginia Tech to face a talented Hokie team on Saturday night. Many expect a wild atmosphere, and the last time the Irish faced a similar type of environment, it didn’t end well for Notre Dame. Do the Irish overcome their road demons, or are the lights too bright again?
Mike Frank
We should all be nervous because I’m pretty confident that ND will win this game, and I am not sure it will be as close as some expect. When I’m feeling good about ND (like I was against Miami last year), Lucy usually pulls the football and we all have a big dung sandwich to eat.
On paper, Notre Dame is the superior team, and I think it’s by a considerable margin. The Hokies haven’t faced a defense like Notre Dame’s, and those thinking about ND losing focus against Ball State after the Michigan game need to realize that Ian Book didn’t play that game, and had he, I think we would’ve seen a much different outcome.
However, it seems ND is forever at this doorstep…about to be crowed a great team…and then they lay an egg.
In reality, none of us know, even Brian Kelly, how his team will react to the environment on Saturday. I do like the leadership of this team, and I think that carries them through.
Notre Dame: 33 Va. Tech 20
Christian McCollum
Ian Book faces his first true adversity as Irish’s starting quarterback, but once again he proves he’s up to the task. After a sluggish first half, Book helps lead Notre Dame to three second-half touchdown drives, including a pair of scoring passes in the fourth quarter to Miles Boykin and Chase Claypool.
Meanwhile, the Irish defense did its part, limiting the Hokies to 10 points in each half. Jerry Tillery, Drue Tranquill and Julian Love led all three levels of Clark Lea’s unit. Hokie quarterback Ryan Willis did make some plays, but not nearly enough to consistently threaten the Irish defense.
Dexter Williams provided Notre Dame fans with more excitement, breaking multiple long runs and scoring on a nifty screen pass in the first half.
Notre Dame: 31 Va. Tech: 20
Jamie Uyeyama
Some people might think that the atmosphere in Blacksburg is being overhyped, but I'm not one of them. It's going to be LOUD and there is no way to prepare for that.
The only way to quiet a crowd is to whip them on the field and I think that's going to happen for the Irish. On defense, Virginia Tech's corners are vulnerable and I think Notre Dame will be able to produce big plays in the passing game even if the running game is not successful early.
On the other side of the ball, I could see the Hokies confuse Notre Dame's defense a time or two with misdirection. The key will be that they don't let that confusion result in long touchdowns and I don't see it happening.
The Irish have the edge up front and their D-line will get after quarterback Ryan Willis. It might be a tight game until the half, but I see Notre Dame pulling away in the second half.
Notre Dame: 31 Va. Tech: 20
Matt Freeman
Enter Sandman.
Notre Dame plays much better than Miami 2017. Dexter Williams has another big game with 14 carries for 114 yards, while Tony Jones Jr. chips in with 76 yards on 16 carries.
Ian Book continues his hot streak by going 19-of-26 for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns. Khalid Kareem silences the crowd early with a sack on the first drive. The dogs are turned loose on the Hokies as Notre Dame builds a 21-0 lead in the first half.
Yoon Watch: Justin Yoon hits from 43 and 49 yards out with the 49-yard field goal breaking Allen Pinkett’s school record for career points scored.
Notre Dame: 27 Va. Tech: 10