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Notre Dame football: 3 bold predictions vs. Louisville in Week 6

By Ryan Van Dever

Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Chase Ketterer (27), wide receiver Tobias Merriweather (5),quarterback Sam Hartman (10), and offensive lineman Joe Alt (76) walk out before the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Chase Ketterer (27), wide receiver Tobias Merriweather (5),quarterback Sam Hartman (10), and offensive lineman Joe Alt (76) walk out before the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports /
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The offensive line for Notre Dame is one of the best in the country, and will face a challenge in Louisville's pass rush.
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Alt #76 talks with Sam Hartman #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Durham, North Carolina. Notre Dame won 21-14. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

1. The battle in the trenches will be won by Notre Dame football

The Cardinals defense ranks 38th out of 133 teams in yards allowed per game at 327.8. They hold one of the finest pass rushers in the nation in junior Ashton Gillotte, whose five sacks are tied for fifth-best among FBS players. He could be a concern for a Notre Dame offense that floundered against Duke’s pressure last week.

Notre Dame has one of the best offensive lines in all of college football and is one of the key reasons they are 5-1. They clear the way for Audric Estime and keep the pocket clean for Sam Hartman. That same offensive line has given up just six sacks through five games this season against some stiff competition. If that continues on Saturday night, Notre Dame will walk out of Louisville with a win and a 6-1 record.

Battle-tested Notre Dame will be pushed again in this matchup with Louisville but will pull away in the fourth quarter. The talent and the depth at the key skill positions will be too considerable for Louisville to tolerate. The Irish defense will come up with some takeaways against turnover-prone Jack Plummer, and the turnover battle will be too great for the Cardinals to overcome.

Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Louisville 17

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