Notre Dame Football: 3 Bold Predictions vs. Virginia

Notre Dame turns their focus to Virginia with no room for error following the Georgia loss.

It wasn’t the ideal result for Notre Dame, but this season is far from over for the Irish. The goal is to return to the College Football Playoff. That dream isn’t over with a loss already on the record, but it demands perfection.

That first step is to put away a ranked team in Virginia.

Up to No. 18 in the polls, Virginia has quickly recognized what kind of underdogs they are, as the line for the game opened with Notre Dame as double-digit favorites.

While the Cavaliers have improved in the polls each week, things haven’t looked especially great. Their last two games have been come from behind victories. It took a 21-point fourth quarter to beat a depleted Florida State team. Even more concerning was last week, as Old Dominion jumped out to a 17-0 lead. 28 unanswered points saved the day versus the CUSA team.

Things have looked shaky. But, Virginia has done what’s been needed to earn their 4-0 start.

Notre Dame is trying to figure it all out in a similar sense.

Brian Kelly spent the first three games figuring out what kind of team he has. After Georgia, he felt confident that this is a team that will fight to the end no matter what.

That’s what the Irish will have to do, as injuries have shaken up this team to start the season. At first, it was the injuries to Michael Young and Cole Kmet. The impact of Kmet was on full display last week with his return to the field.

Now it’s the running game that is suffering from Jafar Armstrong and Jahmir Smith sidelined with injuries. The biggest takeaway so far this season is the scary potential of this team at 100-percent.

For now, the Irish will have to make the most of what they have heading into their fourth game of the season. All we can do is speculate with what we’ve learned so far in 2019.

Here are your three bold predictions for Notre Dame vs. Virginia.