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Notre Dame football: 3 reasons to buy stock in Irish in 2023

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - APRIL 22: Head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Football Game at Notre Dame Stadium on April 22, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - APRIL 22: Head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Football Game at Notre Dame Stadium on April 22, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Audric Estime (7) runs with the ball during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Audric Estime (7) runs with the ball during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2022 Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The run game will be elite

Although Logan Diggs decided to transfer, Notre Dame is bringing back Audric Estime to lead the backfield and he might just be one of the nation’s top breakout candidates if he already wasn’t considered that in 2022.

Estime rushed for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns on 156 carries last season. He’s going to take care of the bulk of the carries this year and he should finish with somewhere around 1,200-1,500 rushing yards while flirting with 20 touchdowns, especially behind that solid offensive line.

I’m intrigued by the offensive line and think it will pave the way for Estime to flirt with the Doak Walker Award and maybe guys like Jadarian Price, Gi’Bran Payne, and Devyne Ford could also put up some decent yardage. The Fighting Irish are deep in the backfield and could be one of the best rushing offenses in the country this year.

Actually, I’d almost bet on that happening.

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