Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons the Irish will beat Michigan State

5. The run games are incomparable

Might as well start with the most obvious reason right off the bat. These two running games are worlds apart. The Irish currently boast one of the most potent rushing attacks in the country, much in part to one of the nation’s best running backs in junior Josh Adams. On the flip side, Michigan State has failed to get much out of any three of their backs.

Lead back L.J. Scott has managed only 3.8 yards per carry for the Spartans this season, carrying the ball 33 times for only 125 yards and one score. Backups Madre London and Gerald Holmes have also struggled of late, combining for 157 yards and a touchdown.

Notre Dame has enjoyed very different results from their backfield this season, with Josh Adams on pace for a career year. Adams, in his third year with the Irish, was previously known for his incredible success in his freshman year, but is now giving experts reason to talk about his current numbers.

Adams has run absolutely wild this season, tallying 443 yards and two touchdowns on 56 carries. He has also been backed by quarterback Brandon Wimbush who has rushed for 314 yards and six scores himself. In terms of his backups, Dexter Williams and Tony Jones Jr. have managed five combined scores on the ground, further establishing the position as one of the nation’s deepest, most talented units.

While Michigan State will be a step up from the majority of previous competition, the Irish run attack should still serve as one of the most successful units in this game.