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Notre Dame Football: Way-too-early 2021 game-by-game predictions

By Jackson Caudell

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish stiff arms safety Nolan Turner #24 of the Clemson Tigers on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish stiff arms safety Nolan Turner #24 of the Clemson Tigers on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on November 7, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Matt Cashore-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Brian Kelly, Notre Dame Football. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame Football. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. Sept. 18. 3. player. 848. Scouting Report. Notre Dame (Ind.). Purdue Boilermakers

In Week 3, Notre Dame will welcome Big Ten foe Purdue to South Bend for a showdown. Purdue has been a pretty good program ever since Jeff Brohm took over, but it will be interesting to see how the team fares in 2021 with star wide receiver Rondale Moore off to the NFL and the Boilermakers not being able to settle on a quarterback.

However, the Boilermakers have another big time wide receiver in David Bell and he could be in for an All-Big Ten type season.

If the Boilermakers can find a way to play better on defense and more consistent quarterback play, they could be able to pull the upset here. With the game being in Notre Dame however, I think the Fighting Irish find a way to get the win ahead of their big showdown with Wisconsin.

Final Score: Notre Dame 33, Purdue 24 (3-0)

Sept. 25. Chicago (Ill.). Wisconsin Badgers. 4. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 809

In the first big-time matchup of the season, Notre Dame will have a neutral site tilt with the Wisconsin Badgers. The two teams were actually supposed to play at Lambeau Field in Green Bay last season, but COVID-19 had to go and ruin that experience for all of us.

Wisconsin had one of the best defenses in the entire country last season and should be strong on that side of the ball once again. The offense is what is going to have to be solved for the Badgers. Quarterback Graham Mertz had some highs last season, but also some really bad lows as well. Wisconsin suffered from the lack of a star running back as well.

I think this will be one of the best non-conference games of the year and should be very competitive. I think the Badgers defense is the best unit in this game, but I did not like what I saw from the Wisconsin offense at times last season.

Give me the Fighting Irish to win a low-scoring game at Soldier Field.

Final Score: Notre Dame 24, Wisconsin 23 (4-0)

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