Notre Dame Football: Irish can start winning streak against Boston College

(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Notre Dame football is in much better shape than it was last year, even after a loss to the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 2.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish cracked the top 25 rankings after their Week 1 victory over the Temple Owls. However, a one-point loss at the hands of the Georgia Bulldogs knocked them out. If Notre Dame wins their next few games they would likely get back into the AP Poll.

Notre Dame faces their third consecutive quality opponent in Week 3 when it faces the Boston College Eagles. BC had a rough going last week in a 34-10 defeat against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. They are sure to be motivated when they take on the Irish.

Star running back Josh Adams did not find the same running room against the Dawgs that he did against Temple. Adams rushed for only 53 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Brandon Wimbush did not fare much better with less than 220 passing yards and only one total touchdown.

The good news for Notre Dame is that their defense played well against one of the best rushing attacks in the country. Sony Michel and Nick Chubb were held under 150 rushing yards combined and the Dawgs averaged less than 4.5 yards per carry. Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm was picked off once and racked up less than 150 passing yards.

If the offense continues to put up points, this defense is good enough to help the Irish win some games this year. Notre Dame looks much better than they did one season ago when they finished with only four wins. That’s a good sign for head coach Brian Kelly as he tries to keep his job.

Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017

After BC, the Irish face three consecutive unranked opponents in the Michigan State Spartans, Miami (OH) Redhawks, and the North Carolina Tar Heels. This is a chance for Notre Dame to rack up four consecutive victories before they face the No. 4 USC Trojans on Oct. 21.