Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons Irish will avoid hangover vs. Ball State

5. The Irish head into Week 2 relatively healthy

Against a team like Ball State, a state of relative health should suffice. As long as the Irish avoid injuries to any critical offensive or defensive personnel, it should be business as usual against the Cardinals. Hangover games are particularly realistic when the favorite team is nursing some serious injuries, but that doesn’t seem to be the case for the Irish this week.

As of now, the Irish will definitely be missing nickelback Shaun Crawford (torn ACL) and defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (broken foot). Right guard Tommy Kraemer shifted to right tackle last week in the wake of Robert Hainsey’s leg injury, but the latter is expected to be back in action soon. Lastly, Dexter Williams’ suspension status is still unknown, so consider him unavailable.

Of those four, only one, Hainsey, started against the Wolverines. Senior Nick Coleman was able to hold down the nickelback role in place of Crawford and the Irish have plenty of depth along the defensive line to survive Tagovailoa-Amosa’s injury, especially against an opponent such as this. In terms of Williams’ replacement, backups Tony Jones Jr. and Jafar Armstrong served as suitable replacements against Michigan.

Needless to say, the Irish are in particularly good health this week, especially if Hainsey is able to return. The majority of their injuries are also at positions at depth, a good sign for the longevity of this team in Week 2 and beyond. In regard to this week in particular, a Notre Dame loss won’t come on the injury front.