Notre Dame Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Michigan

2. The Irish offensive line doesn’t allow a sack

The Notre Dame offensive line was awarded the Joe Moore Award last season, acknowledging the unit as the best in college football. However, the Irish would go on to lose two top 10 picks worth of talent in Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey. Additionally, Jeff Quinn will be taking over offensive line coaching duties in the wake of Harry Hiestand’s departure to the Chicago Bears.

The losses of Nelson and McGlinchey have also prompted many changes in terms of player personnel. Junior Liam Eichenberg will make his first start at left tackle while Tommy Kraemer and Robert Hainsey will abandon their right tackle timeshare for individual starting roles along the right side of the line. Also, fifth-year senior Alex Bars will switch from right to left guard.

As you can see, these are some serious changes. In fact, center Sam Mustipher is the only offensive lineman in the exact same situation as last season. There has been some concern in regard to the experience and chemistry of this line and its coaching staff, but having two captains (Bars, Mustipher) in the same unit is always a huge boost.

However, holding off a defensive line that recorded 42 sacks last season will be no easy task, especially in the first week of the college football season. Despite the challenge ahead, the Irish offensive line has the potential to gel quickly, possibly in time to stifle a strong Michigan defensive front.