As a projected top 15 team in the nation entering the 2018 regular season, Notre Dame football has an important decision for its starting quarterback.
In the final game of the season for Notre Dame Football, the quarterback battle began for the 2018 campaign. The backup quarterback for most of the year, Ian Book, led the Irish to a nail-biting Citrus Bowl victory over head coach Ed Orgeron’s LSU Tigers.
Brandon Wimbush started the game under center for Notre Dame, but he could not get much going for the offense through the first three quarters. A main concern for Notre Dame fans is the reliability of Wimbush when he cannot use his legs as a weapon.
Book only had two contests where he got a good bulk of the playing time, and made a key difference in the outcome. A road victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels saw Book toss one touchdown and rack up 146 passing yards. The two picks that he threw in that win need to be fixed.
Another impressive performance from Book saw him complete all eight passing attempts for 50 yards and one touchdown pass. That outing helped the Irish notch a win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
In total, Book saw action in 10 different contests, amounting to four touchdowns and four picks on the year. Wimbush was the set in stone starter for most of the year. While Wimbush did not make the most of an opportune Notre Dame receiving corps, Brian Kelly gave Book his shot in 2017.
Notre Dame is sure to be one of the more intriguing quarterback battles of 2018. It’s not just Book and Wimbush that are a part of it either. Four-star prospect Phil Jurkovec is also an integral part of the quarterback depth chart. Kelly has already voiced his support for all three quarterbacks.
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The expectations of the Notre Dame football program should bring the best quarterback for the team’s success to the forefront. Another tough slate for the Irish puts the emphasis on finding the right player under center that much more significant.