Notre Dame football: 3 bold predictions vs. Wake Forest in Week 12

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Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; USC Trojans center Justin Dedich (57) prepares to snap as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) defends in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Notre Dame’s defense will hold Wake to single digits

The Fighting Irish defense has already held 30 percent of its opponents to single digits this season: Navy (3), Tennessee State (3), and Pittsburgh (7).

With a defensive unit that currently ranks 17th in the country in scoring defense, coupled with a Wake Forest offense that sits near the bottom nationally in scoring offense at 117th, I expect the Golden Domers to hold the Deacons below 10 points in Saturday’s afternoon affair.

Wake quarterback Mitch Griffis, who has a 34.4 QBR (ranks 124th) according to ESPN, will be facing an uphill battle with his problems beginning at the line of scrimmage, thanks to Notre Dame’s HC3.

The big defensive tackle, Howard Cross lll, has been a force des jour for the Fighting Irish defense this season. Expect him to wreak havoc in the trenches, as he’ll break down Mitch’s pocket, and blow up the Deacons’ ground game.

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