Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons Fighting Irish will beat Georgia

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs for an eight-yard touchdown against the Temple Owls in the first quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Brandon Wimbush’s growing confidence

Putting up 290 total yards and three touchdowns in a Week 1 blowout of Temple had to be a huge confidence-booster for Brandon Wimbush. The first-year starter filled in quite nicely for the departed Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer and looked like a just-as-competent replacement.

The newest Notre Dame starting quarterback completed 17-of-30 passes for 184 yards and rushed 12 times for 106 yards and a score. He did throw an interception, but that’s to be expected in the first couple starts of a new quarterback. He showed that he learned from Kizer as his backup and put what he soaked in to use on Saturday.

Not satisfied with that reasoning? Look at the stats. Temple was no slouch on defense last season. In fact, the Owls finished No. 3 in total defense last season nationally and No. 3 against the pass. They were also 24th against the run and 11th in scoring defense. How did Wimbush stack up? He led Notre Dame to a 49-16 blowout with over 600 yards of total offense.

It’s not like the Fighting Irish beat a national bottom-dweller. Temple finished last season with a 10-4 record. This was a confidence-building win for Wimbush.

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