Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs. New Mexico

A Dominating Win

Let’s get right to it — Notre Dame should not struggle this week. Yes, this is the same exact situation the Irish found themselves in last year vs. Ball State, and with a better quarterback and the returning talent on the roster, last year’s result should not repeat itself.

It’s a home game, coming off a bye week, vs. a team that won three games a year ago. Rightfully, the Irish are currently a full five touchdown favorite over the Lobos. There are few excuses to be had if they come out sloppy and let New Mexico hang around for more than a quarter.

Brian Kelly has an unwanted reputation of having his teams play down to their competition, and that just can’t happen — especially a week before their huge game with Georgia. This needs to be a confidence-boosting, dominating performance that has the starters wearing ball caps by the third quarter.

There are arguments to be made for going punch-for-punch with other teams that aren’t as good —  like an unranked USC or Virginia Tech on the road — but it’s hard to justify a bad performance at home vs. New Mexico.

Make the easy games easy. That’s what Brian Kelly and this team needs to do this Saturday.