Staff Predictions for Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest

Notre Dame will play its first road game of the season tomorrow at Wake Forest. Here’s how our writer see the game playing out.

Three games, three wins. Not a bad start for the 2018 Notre Dame football team. On Saturday, the Fighting Irish will look to keep the winning streak going against Wake Forest — Notre Dame’s first road game of the season.

Here’s how the Slap the Sign writers see it playing out.

Carlee North

The Irish will be tested early for their first road game of the season. After another close call last week, we aren’t really sure what we’ll see out of this Irish squad — specifically on offense — but I do think they make enough plays in the passing game this weekend. I expect the Wake Forest offense to score the most points against the Irish than anyone else so far this season. But in the end, Wimbush and the receivers have a really solid day through the air and win it 34-24 in Winston-Salem to move to 4-0.

Chase Eyrich

I think there is a huge gap between Notre Dame’s offense and Wake Forest’s defense. Where I see there being more of a struggle is the Irish trying to contain the up-tempo attack Wake Forest will come with. Overall I have Notre Dame ending the week 4-0, but once again in a close one. Irish win, 27-21

Connor McJunkin

The first road game of the season always says a lot about a team, especially for this year’s Notre Dame squad coming off back-to-back lackluster games. I can’t get myself to trust the passing game until I see it with my own eyes, so this will be another close game. I hope I’m proved wrong. Irish win 20-14.

Jack Leniart

After two straight victories that didn’t entirely feel like victories, the Irish have to hit the road to play their first away game of the season. I think we will see a bump in offensive production against a sub-par Wake Forest defense. Despite what the Irish defense has shown thus far, I do have some concerns about facing this Wake Forest offense. I think the Demon Deacons become the first team to score 20 or more points against Notre Dame in 2018. Irish win (again) but don’t cover (again), 30-24.

Mason Plummer

Coach Kelly said himself that Wake is the first team that Notre Dame truly has tape on, and I also believe the game against Vanderbilt exposed many weaknesses that Notre Dame will have worked on in practice. Vegas only has the Irish winning by eight, but I think Wimbush has a huge day and the Irish roll to 4-0 this week. I know this is WAY larger of a win than most people will expect, but I believe in the Irish this week. 42-17. Bring on Stanford.

Nathan Erbach

The Wake defense is not very good, so this could be the first game where Notre Dame is able to enjoy sustained success on the offensive side. Since it’s the first road game of the year, I expect it to be a competitive game early, however, the Irish will seal the deal in the second half and win decisively. Wimbush passes for over 200 and runs for over 100 in this one, compiling three total touchdowns. Notre Dame wins 33-20.

Paul Walsh

Last week’s game was another sluggish one for the Fighting Irish on offense. On paper, Notre Dame should handily take care of Wake Forest. However, they should have handily taken care of Ball State and Vandy too. The Irish defense will inevitably take over the game and be too much for the Wake Forest offense that has yet to be truly challenged. The Irish get their first road win of the year, 28-17.

Sonny Martinez

Although not one of the “premier” games of 2018, this may be among the most interesting. It’s the first road game of the year and Wake Forest is far from a guaranteed win. I think this comes down to field position, which — although a basic key to any game — with the quality of returner Greg Dorich and the difficulties the Notre Dame special teams unit has dealt with, it could be a long day. I think this is a closer game than most, 31-27 Irish.

J.P. Scott

I feel good about Notre Dame looking good in this one. Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the pressures and routine of playing at home. I look for an energized effort on both sides of the ball to be the catalyst for a big Irish win, 34-16.

Ben Belden

The Irish, behind the passing of Ian Book, light up Wake Forest’s poor defensive secondary. The Irish defense holds Wake Forest in check for most of the game, but Demon Deacons add a couple late scores to make it interesting. Notre Dame wins, 38-31.