Notre Dame Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020
player. 405. Scouting Report. Sept. 19. South Bend (Ind.). Western Michigan Broncos. 3. Pick Analysis
In what has become somewhat of an upstart program ever since PJ Fleck was at the helm, the Broncos have won six or more games in every season since they finished 13-1 in 2016 and will be looking to make it too another bowl game this fall. The Broncos will be breaking in a new quarterback, but have an experienced offensive line and they will be contending for the MAC title.
Western Michigan will be coming off a tough game against Cincinnati and this will be a tough game for a new quarterback to be in. Western Michigan will make a bowl game, but will have to shake off the early non-conference losses. Irish win big here.
Final Score: Notre Dame 49, Western Michigan 24 (3-0)
player. 889. Pick Analysis. Sept. 26. Charlotte (N.C.). Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Scouting Report. 4
In what will be a bit of a strange, neutral site matchup, Notre Dame will travel to Charlotte to play the Demon Deacons. These two teams have become familiar with each other in recent years, with Notre Dame playing four ACC teams per season, but the Fighting Irish have never lost to the Demon Deacons and they will be looking to move the all time record to 5-0 in 2020.
Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson has built a very respectable program and has taken the Demon Deacons to a school record four straight bowl games and won three of them.
They will have to replace quarterback Jamie Newman, who has transferred to Georgia, and that will fall on the shoulders of Sam Hartman, who does have experience as a starter and he will have the luxury of throwing to an all ACC candidate in receiver Sage Surratt.
Notre Dame should be careful in this game, but it will find a way to win.
Final Score: Notre Dame 35, Wake Forest 23 (4-0)