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Notre Dame football: 3 bold predictions vs. Tennessee State in Week 1

By Christopher Lewnau

Sep 10, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman leads his team onto the field for the game against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman leads his team onto the field for the game against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 17: DJ Brown #2 and JD Bertrand #27 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a tackle against the California Golden Bears during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 17, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 17: DJ Brown #2 and JD Bertrand #27 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a tackle against the California Golden Bears during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 17, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Notre Dame will score a TD on defense or special teams

In order to put up a number as large as 60 points, you need bonafide output from all facets of the football team. Therefore, I’m predicting that against Tennessee State, the Irish will score a touchdown from either the defense or special teams.

According to college football FBS stats, Notre Dame ranked first in the nation last year in blocked punts with seven. Blocked punts routinely create scoop and score opportunities, something that very well might occur against TSU.

In addition, expect Notre Dame to provide boatloads of pressure on TSU’s trio of quarterbacks.  According to The Tennessean, coach Eddie George has brought in two experienced quarterbacks, Demeatric Crenshaw and Ryder Hagan, to compete against the incumbent at quarterback, Draylen Ellis. I presume that these additions will pan out at some stage for George and his Tigers; however, it won’t be on the road against the Goliath that is Notre Dame.

As a result of the pressure, the TSU quarterback(s) will eventually capitulate. Turnovers will ensue, and once again, the opportunity for a return for six is plausible.

Lastly, much like how we witnessed USC’s Zachariah Branch have his house call from a kickoff last Saturday against SJSU, watch out for the Irish returners Chris Tyree and Devyn Ford giving it a go at pay dirt.

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