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Notre Dame Football: Notre Dame vs. North Carolina – 3 Bold Predictions

By Chase Eyrich

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 30: Ryan Smith #82 of the Miami (Oh) Redhawks is hit by Jalen Elliott #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after a first down catch at Notre Dame Stadium on Seotember 30, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Miami (OH) 52-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 30: Ryan Smith #82 of the Miami (Oh) Redhawks is hit by Jalen Elliott #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish after a first down catch at Notre Dame Stadium on Seotember 30, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Miami (OH) 52-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Prediction #3: The Defense will have their best game

Mike Elco’s defense has already exceeded expectations after last season. Every game they start to look a little better and this week they match up well.

Like most of their offense, UNC lost the majority of their rushing from last season. Both Elijah Hood and TJ Logan went to the NFL, their two leading rushers.

This year it’s the underclassmen’s turns. Sophomore Jordan Brown and Freshman Michael Carter are now the go-to guys on the ground. But this season Brown has only rushed for 269 yards and Carter 206. Something that isn’t going to bother the Irish too much.

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What will bother them will be Freshman QB, Chazz Surratt. The dual-threat quarterback is a huge threat on his feet. But containing him becomes easier when the defense doesn’t have to focus on the RB’s as much as containing Surratt in the pocket.

UNC’s offensive struggles continue even with the receivers. Tar Heels lost four of their top five from the receiving core. Oh, and the one that stayed, they lost him to a season-ending injury against Duke.

Even with all this, UNC still finds ways to put points on the board averaging 28.4 PPG. But last week against Georgia Tech that was not the case, as they were held to just seven points on the day.

Notre Dame’s defense has been on the rise and everyone is enjoying what Elco has brought. The Irish will continue this trend and have their best game of the season defensively.

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