Notre Dame Football: 3 hot takes from huge road win over North Carolina

Notre Dame football picked up a huge road win over No. 19 North Carolina on Friday afternoon. Let’s get into some piping hot takes.

Raise your hand if you expected a shootout between North Carolina and Notre Dame on Friday afternoon. OK, now that everyone’s hands are raised, let’s talk about just how refreshing it was to see quality football game with impressive play on both sides of the field.

Notre Dame got the best of the Tar Heels on the road, 31-17, passing arguably the last true test before the ACC title game. There’s a good chance this team finishes 11-0 in the regular season.

The Irish, led by Ian Book, were the better team all afternoon long and the senior quarterback had yet another strong showing while Kyren Williams broke 100 yards again.

Let’s dish out some piping-hot takes from the Irish win.

3. Javon McKinley is the most underrated receiver in the nation

OK, so maybe saying Javon McKinley is the most underrated receiver in college football is a little extreme, but this is a hot take and it’s hard to argue it.

Outside of South Bend, is there anyone who doesn’t follow Notre Dame football that knows the name ‘Javon McKinley’? Probably not. Should they? Probably seeing as he’s the No. 1 receiver on the No. 2 team in the country right now.

When Braden Lenzy went out, there was some concern about who would be the go-to target for Ian Book and the senior has stepped up in a big way. Although he hasn’t reached the end zone this season — yet — McKinley has been a revelation, securing 30 catches for 549 yards. He has stepped up as the No. 1 guy over the past four games with 21 receptions for 378 yards.

McKinley had six catches for 135 yards against North Carolina which was his second 100-yard game in the past three. This kid deserves some love.