Notre Dame Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Virginia in Week 5

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jalen Elliott #21, Khalid Kareem, and Daelin Hayes #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pose to celebrate the victory against the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium on September 14, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 21: Bryce Perkins #3 of the Virginia Cavaliers scrambles away from Keion White #6 of the Old Dominion Monarchs in the second half during a game at Scott Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

3. Virginia’s offense struggles

Virginia only scored 28 points at home against a sub par Old Dominion University team just last week. You add the recent struggles of the offense with the Cavs inability to establish any sort of running game that is effective and you might just have the perfect storm on Saturday. Virginia has not yet played a top 25 team quite yet and could have trouble getting the offense going against a tough Notre Dame defense.

Bryce Perkins has also thrown four interceptions this year on a limited number of passes and has been more effective when using his legs. If you can bottle Perkins, the Notre Dame defense would be able to find themselves in a great spot against the Cavs.

We should see the Irish stack the box and force Perkins to throw a lot in this game. Perkins will have to be able to get the wide receiving core involved to upset the Irish on the road. This doesn’t seem likely in an afternoon game as Notre Dame is coming off a big loss and needs to get back on track.

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