Notre Dame Football: 3 hot takes from win over Boston College in Week 11

2. Notre Dame made the right QB1 choice

When Phil Jurkovec chose to enter the transfer portal this past offseason following Ian Book’s second straight season of starting and decision to return for 2020, I was one of the doubters wondering whether Brian Kelly picked the right starter.

Jurkovec was a highly-rated recruit and he had plenty of hype surrounding him when he committed but Book’s rise to stardom delayed his opportunity. After a somewhat disappointing 2019 season, it looked like Notre Dame might actually have a quarterback battle on its hands but Jurkovec’s transfer denied that.

Kelly seemed to be sticking with Book no matter what until his eligibility was exhausted and Jurkovec’s decision to transfer to Boston College was met with plenty of sadness from Notre Dame fans.

Could he be the better option?

Through the first part of 2020, it seemed that way. Jurkovec was breaking out with the Eagles and he had over 2,000 yards in his first eight starts. Meanwhile, Book had a slow start to his senior season and I was ready to say that the Irish would be better if they had kept Jurkovec and promoted him to starter.

I was proven wrong on Saturday.

Book has been playing great over the past month and he followed up a Clemson win with 283 yards and three touchdowns through the air and a team-high 85 rushing yards and a score.

On the other hand, Jurkovec struggled, completing just 18-of-40 passes.

Kelly made the right choice.