Predictions: BYU-Notre Dame
By Andrew Hall
September 28, 2012; Provo, UT, USA; BYU Cougars fan Caden Parcell cheers during the first quarter against the Hawaii Warriors at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE
Brigham Young Cougars
October 20, 2012 at 3:30 pm EST
TV: NBC
Last Meeting (2005): BYU 23-Notre Dame 49
Line: Notre Dame (-13.5)
Lead Editor Andrew Hall: BYU 10-Notre Dame 24
Staff Writer Nick Combs: BYU 6-Notre Dame 24
Staff Writer Tim Colin: BYU 9-Notre Dame 35
Podcast Co-Host Brett Arney: BYU 0-Notre Dame 45
BYU’s statistics may not tell the entire story of this year’s Cougars team. Three games of their season have been played without their most important Offensive player in Quarterback Riley Nelson. The Cougars rank 80th in the nation in points per game with 25.4 points per game. The Cougars Offense rushes for an average 173.57 yards per game. BYU also passes for an additional 223.0 yards per game. These totals are pedestrian but it is important to note that Riley Nelson did miss three games this season. His absence could be the reason for closes losses to Utah and Boise State.
The Cougars are putting up below average numbers against the mediocre competition that they have faced. It is reasonable to believe that when this is the best Defense that the Cougars have faced this year. BYU has the potential to score points with the talent that they have on Offense but so far they have not demonstrated that they can do this consistently. Notre Dame should be expected to hold the Cougars under 10 points in this game. A shut out would not be out of the realm of possibility.
BYU is currently ranked 7th in scoring defense giving up 13.6 points per game, ranked 3rd in rushing defense only giving up 67.86 rushing yards per game, and ranked 24th in pass defense giving up 193.0 passing yards per game. Overall, BYU ranks 5th in total defense on the season, while opposing teams average 260.9 yards per game.
Overall, BYU is a good defense, and the best thing to do against them is keep them off balance. Read option and the passing game will be the key in this football game. I think that Notre Dame will continue to run the ball effectively, but they can’t get too predictable. Let Golson do his thing and Notre Dame should win this football game, but I think it will be closer than most people think.