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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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Nov 21, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell (middle) and quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) and cornerback Ahmad Gardner (12) lead the team onto the field before the game against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell (middle) and quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) and cornerback Ahmad Gardner (12) lead the team onto the field before the game against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Sitting at 4-0, the Irish will face yet another conference title contender in Cincinnati. The Bearcats have been dominating the American since Luke Fickell took over, but he has been forced to hire a new defensive coordinator after Marcus Freeman left for Notre Dame. Now Freeman gets a shot at beating his old team and colleague.

The Bearcats return one of the better teams in the country led by Desmond Ridder and the defense should still be solid even with more Michigan State defensive coordinator Mike Tressel leading the way.

This game will be a classic but Notre Dame escapes.

Final Score: Cincinnati 27, Notre Dame 30 (5-0)

Justin Fuente found himself on the hot seat early last season but his Hokies ended the season on a high note. Hendon Hooker has transferred, though, and that leaves former highly-touted quarterback Braxton Burmeister as the top option to start under center for the Hokies.

Virginia Tech is loaded with transfers, but it might take a slight step back this season because of all he attrition. But not here as it will take advantage of the home crowd in a huge game to upset the undefeated Fighting Irish, handing them their first loss of the year.

Notre Dame needs to be careful as to not allow this to turn into 2-3 straight with a tough schedule approaching.

Final Score: Notre Dame 20, Virginia Tech 27 (5-1)

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