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Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs. Syracuse

By Connor McJunkin

EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish leads his team onto the field prior to 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: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on November 3, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 13: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Stadium on October 13, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Ian Book is Back

After suffering a rib/midsection injury in the first half of the Northwestern game, quarterback Ian Book was sidelined last week against Florida State. The move seemed like more of a precautionary measure, but nonetheless it allowed Brandon Wimbush to get the start on Senior Day and lead the Irish to a 42-13 win over the Seminoles.

While Wimbush put together a solid night, going 12 of 25 for 198 total yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, it was clear he was in a game managing role with the offense relying heavily on the run game to be successful.

By all accounts, it looks as if the Irish are expecting Book to be back under center this weekend, which will be huge for the success of this offense.

While Syracuse might have an explosive offense, statistically they have struggled on the defensive side of the ball — ranking 99th in total defense, 97th in yards per game, and 107th in passing yards per game. I will give them credit though, as they did hold the high-powered Clemson offense to a season-tying low of 27 points in their matchup.

Wimbush should get credit for stepping up last week, but no one is arguing that the Irish offense is better without Book leading the huddle. The offense, and especially the passing game, is on a different level and has a higher ceiling with No. 12 taking snaps.

He is a better passer who lets the Irish open up the playbook and get multiple players involved through the air. Book is completing almost 75 percent of his passes and has a roughly 4:1 touchdown to interception ratio. His accuracy and ability to not turn the ball over puts the offense in the best position to be successful, and it will be crucial to have him back Saturday night.

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