Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame Football: 3 Bold Predictions vs. Syracuse

By Chase Eyrich

EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 03: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass during the second half of a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on November 3, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 03: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass during the second half of a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on November 3, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 10: Dexter Williams #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks a tackle on his way to a 58-yard touchdown run against the Florida State Seminoles in the second quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on November 10, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 10: Dexter Williams #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks a tackle on his way to a 58-yard touchdown run against the Florida State Seminoles in the second quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on November 10, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Irish run to victory

Notre Dame’s run game has been up and down this season. There really hasn’t been a rhyme or reason for it, but the Irish have taken a few punches with this unit.

They opened the season missing their best running back for the first four games. Armstrong has dealt with injuries and Jones Jr. has been more than up and down.

But last week’s game was big for the future of Notre Dame’s run game.

Florida State has been solid at defending the run all season. It was the one thing that they could hang their hat on during a relatively disappointing year.

Syracuse was the only team that rushed for over 200-yards against the Seminoles. Notre Dame took the door off of the hinges last week with 365 rushing yards.

Notre Dame had no problem establishing the run against one of the best front sevens in the nation.

It was a big night for the one Notre Dame position group that has struggled in this season, the offensive line. They played fantastic. Williams no longer had to find ways to get past the front line to use his speed — the holes were finally there for him.

It was clear how big of a difference that made, as Williams averaged 10.1 yards per carry for 202 yards.

Armstrong and Jones Jr. both averaged over six-yards per carry and Wimbush averaged 5.7 yards per carry.

While Wimbush has established himself as a dual threat quarterback, Book has found success running the ball as well.

Next. Notre Dame Football: Gilman Stuffed the Stat Sheet against the Noles. dark

Notre Dame becomes a much more dangerous team when they can run the ball well. With how the offensive line played last week, this could be the biggest reason the Irish improve to 11-0.

Home/Notre Dame Football