Notre Dame Football: Three Things Learned From Notre Dame – North Carolina
By Andrew Hall
Notre Dame defeated North Carolina to move to 5-1 on the season.
The Fighting Irish eclipsed their win total from the 2016 season with a win over the Tar Heels, 33-10. In Sophomore Quarterback Ian Book’s first start, Notre Dame dominated from start to finish on both sides of the ball. Here are three things learned from the Irish victory:
Brandon Wimbush is definitely the best option at Quarterback
Ian Book did enough for Notre Dame to defeat the Heels on a rainy day in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Book completed 17 of 31 passes for 146 yards with 1 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The 2nd-year Quarterback from El Dorado Hills, California was efficient enough to move the ball with a short passing game on 3rd and 4th down.
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Book can definitely win games for Notre Dame. But, at this point in his career, he cannot beat teams like USC, NC State, Miami (FL) and Stanford. Wimbush’s ability to run the football and make plays down the field give him the advantage over Book.
“Ball Distributions”
The Mike Elko-led Notre Dame defense caused another three turnovers on Saturday afternoon. So far this season, the Irish have forced 14 total turnovers. This total ranks 7th in the country. Last year, the Irish finished 104th in turnovers forced with, you guessed it, 14 total turnovers.
The defense will walk into some turnovers. For example, Carolina Quarterback Chazz Surratt bobbled the ball at the mesh point causing the ball to hit the ground. This was definitely an unforced error. However, when Drue Tranquill ripped at the ball following a catch by a Tar Heel down the field. This caused a fumble which was recovered by Tranquill. It is these types of turnovers that show what Elko has been preaching for the last nine months.
Maybe, just maybe, the Irish are really good
Following the victory over North Carolina, Michigan State traveled to Ann Arbor and upset the Wolverines, 14-10. Georgia, Notre Dame’s lone loss on the season, moved to 6-0 with a 45-10 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Bulldogs now rank as the 4th team in the country in the AP poll.
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Other than their one point loss to Georgia, the Irish have dominated their opponents. Their average margin of victory of 28 points. According to ESPN’s FPI, the Irish rank as the 10th best team in the country. In an article written on ESPN.com, Notre Dame’s ranks as the No. 5 team in the country among one-loss teams trying to make the College Football Playoff. When they lost to USC on Thanksgiving weekend in 2016, it was hard to imagine the Notre Dame football program being in the consideration for the playoff.