Notre Dame football: 3 reasons the Irish will beat NC State in Week 2

1. Sam Hartman

Do I really need to say anything more for this No. 1 reason? Sam Hartman is one of the best players in college football and he’s off to a heck of a start to his 2023 season. He’s trying to prove that he belongs in the conversation of the best at his position in the sport and he’ll do that against an NC State team that wasn’t exactly tested through the air in Week 1 at UConn.

Hartman has torched both defenses he’s seen thus far with 445 yards and six touchdowns and he’s only needed 40 attempts to get there. He’s 33-of-40 with those numbers meaning he only has one more incompletion than touchdown pass through two games. Incredible stuff.

NC State has been preparing all week for him but you really can’t be ready for this type of aerial attack, especially when it has barely even been unleashed yet. It’s going to be unleashed on Saturday.

Hartman has a plethora of talented targets to sling the ball to and he’ll have a top-tier running back to take pressure off his shoulders. The offense will be humming along in Raleigh.

I expect a Heisman-like performance from Hartman in Week 2.