Notre Dame Football vs. Virginia writers picks

Here’s how some of our writers see the game between Notre Dame and Virginia shaking out on Saturday.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish return home to face No. 18 Virginia on Saturday. As of now, most sports books have the Irish favored by 11.5 points.

Here’s how some of our writers see the game going.

Carlee North

This game before the season even started was pegged as either being a major trap game coming off of a win or a huge redemption game coming off a loss. Turns out, it’ll be redemption time for the Irish and I expect it to be just that.

Virginia will definitely be a handful, especially with their stingy front seven on defense and their dual-threat playmaker at quarterback, but the Irish will get the job done at home. The will to win this game alone gets the Irish back in the win column. The offense will get the running game going to quiet some of concerns, and they’ll continue making progress on the passing game with a few key players coming back from injury.

The defense gets after it right where they left off last week and has another solid outing, with the “youngsters” continuing to grow each and every snap. Notre Dame takes care of business against No. 18 Virginia and wins(and covers) 34-20.

Chase Eyrich

Notre Dame’s offense becomes a little more prolific with Cole Kmet back. The defense is something that should concern Virginia, especially considering their slow starts in the last couple games. If Notre Dame creates a gap on the scoreboard early, I don’t see Virginia making things interesting later on. Irish win 34-21.

Connor McJunkin

This is a critical game for Notre Dame, who can’t afford a letdown performance following their close loss to Georgia. With Michigan and USC coming up, this team needs to bounce back in a big way and regain their confidence if they want to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. I think we see a energized defense and an explosive offense with Michael Young back in the lineup and the Irish roll 45-21.

Daniel Morrison

Bryce Perkins will put a unique strain on the Notre Dame defense. Unlike Jake Fromm, who can beat a defense through pinpoint accuracy, Perkins beats a defense as a dual threat. Linebackers will need to play in coverage, and containment all night. Virginia is talented top to bottom, but the Irish should be looking to prove themselves after a loss. Notre Dame gets the win, 34-27.

Jack Leniart

Notre Dame will have no time to rest after a hard-fought loss to Georgia last weekend. The Virginia Cavaliers (18th in the latest AP Poll) will be another tough test for this Irish team. The Notre Dame defense that played valiantly in Athens will now be tasked with slowing down quarterback Bryce Perkins, one of the most dynamic players in college football.

I can see the Irish starting slow against Virginia after a primetime game that was both emotionally and physically taxing. However, I think Brian Kelly and his team want to make a statement this Saturday. Notre Dame pulls away in the second half to win 31-17.

Matt Clark

Despite both teams having highly touted defenses, Notre Dame and Virginia come out and trade blows. Ian Book surgically dissects the Cavalier defense with a barrage of well placed throws resulting in two touchdowns on two possessions for the Irish. Unfortunately, Notre Dame’s defense has trouble containing dual threat quarterback, Bryce Perkins, and Virginia responds with two touchdown drives of their own.

After that, the defenses settle in for the rest of the half. The Irish coaching staff makes some adjustments at half and the Irish respond with a high powered offensive showing and a stifling defense in the second half, outscoring Virginia 28-7. Notre Dame continues to show they are an elite team and wins 42-21.

Nathan Erbach

Originally, I wanted to predict a closer score for this game, but some of the positives from the Georgia game give me confidence in this team to put up points. Not only will they be hungry after after losing in Athens, but I think people overrate the Virginia defense to date.

Bryce Hall is obviously an elite defensive back and NFL prospect, but Virginia has yet to see a team remotely close to what Notre Dame brings to the table from both a coaching and talent level. Notre Dame wins comfortably, 34-21, after Virginia gives them a tough battle early on.

Sonny Martinez

Virginia is a very underrated team. They’ve got an electric quarterback, some big time stars on defense and an elite kickoff return man. All of those together could spell problems for the Irish. Plus, coming off such an emotional game against Georgia, Notre Dame is definitely vulnerable.

Notre Dame returning home definitely helps for this game, but they once again must play their A-game to avoid not only an upset, but College Football Playoff elimination. To borrow a quote from the great Lee Corso, this game will be closer than the experts think. 34-27 Irish.

J.P. Scott

This game has “boat-race city” written all over it. The Irish have already seen some version of what Virginia touts as a strength this season. Notre Dame performed well well some key pieces missing. The confidence gained from the dogfight in Athens — pun intended — carries over to this matchup. The game is late enough to where the crowd will be well-lubed, and the Irish will be looking to prove that last weekend was no fluke. Notre Dame wins, 48-13.