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Notre Dame Football: Midterm Grades – Offense

By Andrew Hall

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 16: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws a 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 throws a 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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CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 07: Alize Mack #86 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish makes a catch against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the game at Kenan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 07: Alize Mack #86 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish makes a catch against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the game at Kenan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

C+. . Offense. Notre Dame Fighting Irish. TIGHT ENDS

The Tight End group has performed well in the running game. 5th-year Senior Durham Smythe has plowed the way for many long touchdown runs. All of Notre Dame’s Tight Ends, to varying degrees, can be counted on to block well.

However, like the Wide Receivers, the Irish Tight Ends have struggled to “catch” on. Junior Alize Mack caught 17 passes for 154 yards in the first six games. Smythe tallied 6 receptions for 110 yards during the same time period.

Notre Dame needs the Tight Ends to become a matchup nightmare for opponents. Against North Carolina, Mack did an excellent job at serving as a safety valve for Ian Book. His catches moved the chains several times. However, Mack failed to become the player that many believe he is. Hopefully, he will do his best Tyler Eifert impression in the back half of the season.

Offense. Notre Dame Fighting Irish. OFFENSIVE LINE. B+.

Mike McGlinchey, Quenton Nelson, Sam Mustipher, Alex Bars and Tommy Kraemer pushed their way to a 308 rushing yard average. This total ranks 5th in the country.

Thus far, the Irish have gone the way of Offensive Line. In victories, Notre Dame is rushing for 358.60 yards. In their lone loss, the Irish only ran their way to 55 yards.

Along with the starters, Freshman Robert Hainsey has rotated frequently at the Right Tackle spot. He is less dominant than Kraemer but much more consistent.

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As well as the Offensive Line has played, they can play better and more consistent. This group belongs among the best in the country.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish. OFFENSE. B-. . ALL

Overall, the offense has paved their 40.0 points per game, a total which ranks 13th in the country. It says something that an offense that scores the 13th most points in the country only receives a B- on their midterm. The group can truly be one of the greatest offenses in Notre Dame history if it can find a passing game.

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