1. Michael Mayer will have a huge day
Like Tyree so far in three games, the Irish’s best player on the offensive side of the ball Michael Mayer has had a rather slow start to the 2022 campaign. Mayer’s stat line is currently 15 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
The very talented junior tight end is due for a breakout game. Mayer is one of the best tight ends in the country. In my opinion, the only tight end not better than Mayer is current Georgia Bulldogs tight end Brock Bowers.
Mayer is a physical specimen out there on the football field. He stands at 6-foot-4 and around 250 pounds, so he is a huge security blanket out there for any quarterback.
He also is a very underrated blocker in the running game which is why so many expect him to be declaring for the NFL draft after this 2022 season in South Bend and taking his talents to the next level.
Mayer is going to always be a main subject on opposing teams scouting reports, but as mentioned with Tyree earlier you have to get the ball into your best offensive player’s hands. It is also no secret that North Carolina’s defense has struggled this season. A lot of people expected a better defense under new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, but that has not been the case so far in 2022. They are undefeated because of their offense.
It’s early with only playing three games so far, but North Carolina has given up 335 yards to Florida A&M, 649 to Appalachian State, and 421 to Georgia State. Compared to Notre Dame who held a high-powered Ohio State offense to 395 yards and 21 points, 364 to Marshall, and 296 to California.
Mayer will have the ball in his hands a lot on Saturday and will have his first breakout game against the Tar Heels. Expect Mayer to have close to 100 yards and at least one touchdown, maybe two this week.
If Notre Dame takes some of its momentum from the second half on Saturday and hopefully follows these keys to the game they should leave Chapel Hill with a key road victory. While handing North Carolina a loss for the third consecutive season.
Prediction: Notre Dame 34, North Carolina 27