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Here is my Notre Dame - Wake Forest Preview.

letsgond

Here Come The Irish
Mar 1, 2007
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Notre Dame QB's: Brandon Wimbush had another good game for the Irish where we set the school record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season. It is more impressive since he did it in seven games. When it comes to passing, Wimbush has completed 88 passes on 170 attempts for 1,006 yards with a 51.8 completion rate with 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. On the ground, he has 89 attempts for 529 yards with an average of 5.9 yards per rush with 11 touchdowns. Ian Book has had a decent amount of playing time with 20 completions on 41 attempts with a 48.8 completion rate with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. When it comes to rushing, Book has 19 attempts for 96 yards with a 5.1 yard average.


Notre Dame RB's: The Irish continue to run the ball very well as Josh Adams leads the way with 132 attempts for 1,169 yards for a 8.9 yard average with 9 touchdowns. Adams also has 10 receptions for 82 yards with a 8.2 yard average. Dexter Williams returned from injury and has 28 carries for 247 yards with 4 touchdowns and an 8.8 yard average. Williams also has 1 catch for 8 yards with 1 touchdown and a 8 yard average. Tony Jones Jr. was limited in the last game due to injury that happened during the game but has 27 carries for 139 yards with a 5.2 yard average and 2 touchdowns. Deon McIntosh continues to close out games for Notre Dame with 55 attempts for 304 yards with 4 touchdowns and a 5.5 yard average.


Notre Dame WR's and TE's: Equanimeous St. Brown continues to lead Notre Dame in receiving this season with 20 receptions for 253 yards with 3 touchdowns and a 12.7 yard average. Tight End Durham Smythe makes plays and did so in the previous game with 10 catches for 182 yards and an 18.2 yard average and 1 touchdown. Chase Claypool has 15 receptions for 174 yards with 1 touchdown and an 11.6 yard average. Alize Mack was injured in the North Carolina St. game and is out for the next game. Mack has 17 catches for 154 yards and a 9.1 yard average. Miles Boykin has 4 catches for 84 yards with a 21 yard average and 1 touchdown, while Chris Finke has 5 receptions for 84 yards and a 16.8 yard average. Kevin Stepherson hasn't been in every game this season, but has made plays in the ones he has been in with 6 catches for 79 yards with a 13.2 yard average and 2 touchdowns. Stepherson also has 2 carries for 24 yards with a 12 yard average. Cameron Smith has 8 receptions for 60 yards with 1 touchdown and a 7.5 yard average. Nic Weishar has 3 catches for 20 yards with a 6.7 yard average and 1 touchdown.


Notre Dame OL: The offensive line continues to run block very well for the Irish this season as they are the 6th ranked rushing offense in the nation that averages 317.9 yards per game with a 6.9 yard average per rush and 30 rushing touchdowns. In terms of protection overall they have allowed 45 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 33 quarterback hurries.
 
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Notre Dame DL: The defensive line has been a strong and deep area for Notre Dame this season. Jerry Tillery leads all defensive linemen in tackles with 35 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 7 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Daelin Hayes has 24 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 3 quarterback hurries, and 2 fumble recoveries. Andrew Trumbetti has 20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and 4 quarterback hurries, while Jay Hayes has 18 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 safety. Jonathan Bonner was injured in the win over North Carolina St., but should be fine to play, if limited, in the next game. Bonner has 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 2 quarterback hurries. Julian Okwara has 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 7 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Khalid Kareem has 10 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 3 quarterback hurries, and 1 fumble recovery. Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa has 7 tackles and 2 tackles for loss, while Kurt Hinish has 5 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and 1 quarterback hurry.


Notre Dame LB's: The linebackers don't have as deep of a rotation, but have been a strong unit for the Irish. Te'von Coney leads the team in tackles with 62 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 forced fumble. Nyles Morgan has 57 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 5 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Drue Tranquill has continued to make plays for the Irish with 48 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 2 pass breakups, 2 quarterback hurries, 3 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. Greer Martini has 40 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 2 forced fumbles. Asmar Bilal has 13 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, while Jonathan Jones has 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass breakup.


Notre Dame DB's: Julian Love has made numerous plays for the Irish. Love leads all defensive backs with 30 tackles, 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns, and 11 pass breakups. Nick Coleman has 26 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 pass breakups, and 2 quarterback hurries. Nick Watkins has 25 tackles, 1 interception, 7 pass breakups, and 1 quarterback hurry, while Jalen Elliott has 23 tackles and 1 pass breakup. Shaun Crawford has made plays for the Irish this season with 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. Devin Studstill has 13 tackles and 1 quarterback hurry, while Jordan Genmark-Heath has 9 tackles.


Notre Dame Special Teams: Justin Yoon is 7 of 10 on field goals this season with a long of 46 and is 70 percent on field goals. Tyler Newsome has punted 43 times for an average of 44.4 yards with a long of 59, 4 touchbacks, 12 fair caught, 13 inside the 20, 15 of 50 or more yards, and 1 blocked. Justin Yoon also handles kickoffs with 50 kickoffs for an average of 62.5 yards with 15 touchbacks and 2 out of bounds. C.J. Sanders handles kickoff returns with 16 kickoffs returned for 374 yards with a 23.4 yard average and a long of 38 yards. Chris Finke returns punts with 19 returned for 91 yards with a 4.8 yard average and a long of 23 yards.


Notre Dame Run Offense vs. Wake Forest Run Defense: The 6th ranked Notre Dame rushing offense that averages 317.9 rushing yards per game with 6.9 yards per rush and 30 rushing touchdowns goes up against a Wake Forest run defense that is not strong against the run. Wake Forest is ranked 89th in the nation in run defense allowing 183.8 yards per game with opponents averaging 4.2 yards per rush and have allowed 12 rushing touchdowns. Aside from allowing just 42 yards to Utah State, each opponent has rushed for 100 or more yards and they have allowed rushing touchdowns in 5 of 8 games as well. The Demon Deacons have not faced a running game this talented this season and the Irish should be able to run effectively on them.


Edge: Notre Dame


Notre Dame Pass Offense vs. Wake Forest Pass Defense: The Irish are 119th in pass offense averaging 150.4 passing yards per game with a completion rate of 50.9 percent with 11 passing touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Wake Forest is better at pass defense at 36th in the nation allowing 198.1 yards per game with opponents completing 51.9 percent of passes with 8 passing touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The Demon Deacons are without Jessie Bates in the secondary due to injury and are decent here overall. Wake Forest does well at getting into the backfield with 74 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, and 24 quarterback hurries.


Edge: Even


Wake Fores Run Offense vs. Notre Dame Run Defense: The Demon Deacons are 57th in the nation in rush offense averaging 171 yards per game with a 4.1 yard average and 11 rushing touchdowns. The leading rusher is quarterback John Wolford who has 74 attempts for 341 yards with a 4.6 yard average and 6 rushing touchdowns. Wake Forest will be without 4th leading rusher Cade Carney, who has 56 attempts for 219 yards with a 3.9 yard average and 1 touchdown. The Demon Deacons will use 3rd leading rusher Matt Colburn II as the starter who has 72 carries for 317 yards with a 4.4 yard average and 2 rushing touchdowns. Arkeem Byrd has 60 carries for 334 yards with a 5.6 yard average and 1 rushing touchdown. The Irish are strong against the run at 16th in the nation allowing 116.6 yards per game with a 3.4 yard average per rush and just 1 rushing touchdown. With Wake Forest not at full strength on the ground, the Irish should be able to shut down the running game of Wake Forest.


Edge: Notre Dame


Wake Forest Pass Offense vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense: Wake Forest is 44th in the nation in pass offense averaging 256.3 yards per game with a completion rate of 63.8 percent with 19 passing touchdowns and 3 interceptions. John Wolford has completed 119 of 181 attempts for 1,660 yards with a completion rate of 65.7 percent with 15 passing touchdowns and 2 interceptions. However, he will be without Greg Dortch who was injured in the last game and had 53 catches for 722 yards with 9 touchdowns and a 13.6 yard average. Dortch was having a great season and was a big part of the passing game as his receptions are triple the amount of the 2nd leading receiver, and more than double the amount of yards the 2nd leading receiver has. Scotty Washington will be the main target with 17 receptions for 339 yards with a 19.9 yard average and 2 touchdowns. Tabari Hines has 18 catches for 250 yards with 1 touchdown and a 13.9 yard average. Cam Seringe has 16 catches for 226 yards with 5 touchdowns and a 14.1 yard average. Chuck Wade, Jr. has 13 receptions for 174 yards with a 13.4 yard average and 1 touchdown. Notre Dame has a pass defense that is ranked 78th in the nation allowing 232.5 yards per game with opponents completing 55.2 percent of their passes with 13 passing touchdowns and 8 interceptions. The Irish also 50 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, and 46 quarterback hurries. With Greg Dortch out with injury, it will make the passing offense much more limited for the Demon Deacons.


Edge: Notre Dame


Intangibles: The Irish are coming off an impressive 35-14 win over ranked North Carolina St. at home. Wake Forest is coming off a 42-32 win against Louisville and is 5-3. Aside from beating Louisville, they have not beaten most of the better teams on the schedule and lost to an unimpressive Florida St. team that is 2-5. However, they have quite a few injuries on both sides of the ball, with playmaker Greg Dortch being the most notable. Dortch had a large majority of the receiving stats and has nearly all of the kickoff and punt return stats as well. The Irish will need to continue to run the ball well against a weak run defense and also pass the ball effectively as well. The defense for Notre Dame will need to keep shutting down opposing offenses. Look for the Irish to have a solid win over Wake Forest.


Prediction: Notre Dame 42, Wake Forest 16
 
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