Notre Dame Football: Preview, predictions, and live stream vs. Miami (OH)
By Jacob Wilson
Notre Dame football is flying high after a big win over rival Michigan State. Can they stave off an upset again the Miami RedHawks in Week 5.
Notre Dame once again impressed in a 38-18 victory against one of their most historic rivals in Michigan State. With this being the last scheduled meeting between the two teams for at least nine years, the Irish will now care for the coveted Megaphone for the next decade. The Irish were rewarded for their efforts by being ranked 22nd in the nation on the latest AP poll.
The Irish will now welcome the Miami of Ohio RedHawks to Notre Dame Stadium in what will be only the second meeting between the two programs, the first in the last century. The RedHawks have looked less than impressive to start the season, losing to both Marshall and Cincinnati while defeating Austin Peay and Central Michigan.
Neither team has had any experience with the other, as their last contest took place in 1909. Notre Dame has handled games in which they’ve been heavy favorites thus far, beating Temple and Boston College by scores of 49-16 and 49-20, respectively. They will look to do it again when the RedHawks travel to South Bend Saturday.
Here’s how you can watch it all play out this weekend:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 30
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: South Bend, IN
Venue: Notre Dame Stadium
TV: NBC Sports
Live Stream: NBCSN
Keys to Victory
While Temple has played very poorly this season, Miami of Ohio will be Notre Dame’s weakest competition yet. The RedHawks have a decent defense on paper, but their lack of capable competition restricts a positive outlook.
Notre Dame’s best bet is to stick to what has worked from the get-go. For the Irish, this has been a seemingly unstoppable run game. Look for quarterback Brandon Wimbush to be more active in the pass game should a significant lead develop as head coach Brian Kelly is still looking for stability through the air. With standout Josh Adams wrestling with a stiff ankle, don’t be surprised if he is once again limited in some capacity.
The path to victory is clear for the Irish, but is a little more bleak for the struggling RedHawks. Special teams will be a good start for Miami, as this tends to be the easiest avenue for an underdog to take. However, special teams will likely not be enough, meaning this RedHawk defense will have to prove their legitimacy against a high-powered Irish offense.
Prediction
If all goes to plan for the Irish, this should prove to be an easy victory. They will look to avoid the possible hangover that comes along with a primetime victory, and an early lead will help. The Irish should consider themselves lucky to have such weak competition in what usually shapes up to be a trap game for most teams.
All in all, this should be business as usual for a superior Irish squad. The RedHawks may hang in there for a while, but it will only be a matter of time until Notre Dame pulls away. Look for Notre Dame to put up over 600 yards for the third time this season.
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The Irish have performed well in big games, and have played even better in smaller ones. Look for them to make easy work of an overwhelmed Miami team. With a tough matchup against USC looming, look for the Irish to use Saturday to iron out some kinks. Notre Dame jumps to an early lead and doesn’t look back in this one.
Final Score: Miami (OH) 13, Notre Dame 45