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Notre Dame Football: 3 reasons Irish will beat North Carolina in Week 13

By Danny McCormick

Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Avery Davis (3) catches a pass in the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Avery Davis (3) catches a pass in the fourth quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Clemson 47-40 in two overtimes. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 24: Nick McCloud #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts with teammates after an interception in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on October 24, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 24: Nick McCloud #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts with teammates after an interception in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on October 24, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

2. Notre Dame’s defense is legit

If you have watched Notre Dame a lot this year, then you have watched the Irish defense really come up clutch for the Irish all year long.

Look no further than the Louisville game where the offense had trouble in the red zone, but the defense was able to hold a pretty well balanced Louisville offense to only seven points. Or against Clemson forcing the Tigers into multiple turnovers and getting points on the board to help secure the victory. Those are just two examples, but the Notre Dame defense has been the back bone of this Irish team.

Defensive coordinator Clark Lea and the Irish will have their hands full this week when they face the high scoring offense in North Carolina.

We already talked about Sam Howell earlier, but he is not the only threat that the Irish will have to worry about on Friday. North Carolina is loaded with talent at the skill positions on the offensive side of the ball. The Tar Heels have a great running back duo of Javonte Williams, and Michael Carter. Together the duo has19 touchdowns on the year. Dyami Brown, the leading wide receiver for North Carolina has 45 receptions for 829 yards, and 8 touchdowns as well.

The Notre Dame defense definitely will need to play well on Friday to win. The Irish do have the defensive firepower to help slowdown the Tar Heels offensive attack. But the real question not enough people are talking about is the about the Tar Heels defense. Does North Carolina have enough on their side to slow down Notre Dame and keep them off the scoreboard?

The North Carolina defensive unit has not been the best so far this season. In their eight games this season North Carolina has given up over 400 total yards or more in five of those games. That includes their last game against Wake Forest where they gave up a whopping 606 total yards. Notre Dame has only given up 400 or more total yards twice in their eight games so far this season.

Do not be shocked if it comes down to Notre Dame forcing a few turnovers against North Carolina, and just being able to control the game against the Tar Heels’ defense.

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