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Notre Dame Football: Pre-spring game-by-game predictions for 2021

By Connor Muldowney

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish wait to run on to the field for their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish wait to run on to the field for their game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 13: Members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive line line up against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 13: Members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive line line up against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Purdue has some question marks heading into the 2021 season such as who will step up at receiver to replace All-American Rondale Moore? David Bell is a good option but the quarterback situation has been as uncertain as any in the Big Ten for years. Injuries have caused a ton of issues but as long as everyone stays healthy, Purdue could be a dark-horse contender.

But they don’t have much of a chance to march into South Bend and steal one from the Irish who are feeling it after a 2-0 start and getting Jack Coan (or Drew Pyne) some much-needed experience.

Notre Dame’s defense holds the Boilermakers in check here.

Final Score: Purdue 20, Notre Dame 38 (3-0)

Coan will get his shot at his old team and this will be a telling game for the former Badger quarterback. If he plays well, he should be good enough to lead the Irish all season because Wisconsin consistently has one of the best defenses in the country. If he struggles, it may be time to go with Pyne or Brendon Clark — or even Tyler Buchner.

Playing at Soldier Field gives fans even more of a reason to watch because two of the best teams in the country will be battling it out at a historic venue with potential playoff hopes on the line.

In a defensive battle, Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame get the last laugh.

Final Score: Wisconsin 21, Notre Dame 24 (4-0)

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