Notre Dame Football: Weather could be a factor in Wake Forest game
By J.P. Scott
A forecast with some changing weather throughout the afternoon could change the complexion of the Notre Dame football game against Wake Forest.
Coaches need to gameplan around countless factors. One factor that often goes overlooked by the casual fan is weather. The weather in Winston-Salem on Saturday has a chance to change the strategies and general play of both teams in the Notre Dame football game against Wake Forest.
Currently, the forecast calls for clear skies at kickoff. Those ideal conditions should stay that way for the better part of the first three quarters. Then, sometime in the fourth quarter, scattered thunderstorms are going to roll into the area.
It’ll be a race between the weather and the game clock in regard to if and how those storms will impact the contest.
On the one hand, any rain that accompanies the storms will make throwing the ball more difficult. If Notre Dame leads at that point, the Irish should be safe. They can run the ball and move the chains on the ground just as effective as they do through the air. The impact on the Wake Forest passing game in that scenario would probably depend on how hard it is raining. A light rain would have little-to-no impact. Heavier rains would essentially end the game, likely rendering the Wake Forest passing attack useless.
The other scenario would be the Wake Forest offense operating at a high level while the weather is ideal, subsequently putting Notre Dame in a shootout where the Irish could potentially trail when it starts to rain. This would not be good for Notre Dame, regardless of who the Irish put under center. The woes in the passing attack have not all been Brandon Wimbush’s fault. The idea that Notre Dame’s receivers could improve as pass catchers or route runners in a downpour is just wishful thinking.
There is a third possible scenario, which involves a lightning delay. As could have been the case against Michigan, a long delay could be a momentum changer/stopper.
Next. Staff Predictions for Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest. dark
Regardless of what Mother Nature decides to do on Saturday, if you happen to be attending the game in North Carolina, you should prepare for the possibility of a wet finish to the contest.