Notre Dame Football: 5 bold predictions for September 2019

5. Bilal gets demoted

Heading into the spring, it appeared as if Bilal was the only sure thing in what was and still is a very inexperienced linebacker corps. With an entire year at rover under his belt, there was an expectation that Bilal would follow in the footsteps of former linebacker Drue Tranquill and make a seamless transition to buck linebacker.

Bilal, along with the rest of the Irish defense, really struggled over the course of the first few drives. Bilal began to blend in with the rest of the defense as the unit began to figure things out later in the game, but he didn’t contribute in the box score like teammates Drew White and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Of course, a demotion for Bilal one week into the season would be quite the overreaction, but job security could be a question if Jack Lamb or Jordan Genmark Heath ramp things up as the month progresses. Bilal boasts significant experience and is undoubtedly a great source of leadership in the locker room, but some of the younger guys could bite into his playing time if Bilal fails to stake his claim within the coming weeks.

After all, this isn’t as much of a slight to Bilal as it is recognition of Lamb’s play in his few opportunities throughout the game.