Notre Dame Football: 3 keys to victory vs. Virginia in Week 5

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 06: Bryce Perkins #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers warms up before the start of a game at Scott Stadium on September 6, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

1. Limit Bryce Perkins

You know what you are going to get from a Bronco Mendenhall-coached team. They are going to play with discipline, and max effort. However, there isn’t anyone on the roster that scares you.

Senior quarterback Bryce Perkins is a really good player, but he isn’t the type of dual-threat quarterback that can score from anywhere on the field. In fact Virginia’s top two rushers are averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry. The ‘Hoos only ran for 69 yards against Old Dominion.

The defense is similar to the offense. They are going to play hard, but don’t have anyone that scares you.

In addition, the Irish have one of the better offensive lines in the country. Jordan Mack and Charles Snowden have combined for 8 sacks this early season, and they have 20 sacks as a team, but 6.5 of the duos sacks and 13 of the teams sacks came against William & Mary and Old Dominion.

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Defensive coordinator Nick Howell will be aggressive, but Notre Dame should be able to pick up the blitz.

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