Notre Dame Football: Three bold predictions for the Irish vs. Bowling Green

Notre Dame completes the shutout

Notre Dame hasn’t shut out an opponent since 2014. Of course, that is probably every Irish fan’s favorite memory. The shutout of Michigan has a high possibility of losing some luster as the Irish could shutout Bowling Green this weekend.

The opening line should illustrate well how lopsided this game could be. The Irish are 45-point favorites. A hard line to hit considering that many second and third-string players will play during a game like this. But the ability to outperform that line is there.

Offensively Chase Claypool might not be there for the Irish. The standout receiver suffered an ankle injury vs. Virginia and could miss the next few weeks. That becomes less of a blow considering the return of Michael Young.

Outside of that, we should see Braden Lenzy implemented into the offense in a higher capacity depending on his ability to go considering he is recovering from a concussion. He is a quick player, which helps if the Irish decide to go up-tempo.

Putting points on the board really shouldn’t be a problem for Notre Dame this Saturday. The biggest factor to the potential lopsided victory will be the fact that each week the Irish look better on defense.

The opponents have been much tougher in the last two matchups for the Irish, yet the defense has found ways to put Notre Dame in a position to win the game. Notre Dame had a chance to win the game against No. 3 Georgia with the final drive because the defense was able to put them in that position.

Even knowing that the defensive line would be a strong suit this season, they have hit a whole new level. The defensive edges single-handedly regained control of the game vs. Virginia.

They came away with eight sacks and even forced a couple of turnovers.

The Irish defense leads the nation with a turnover margin of nine while forcing 13 turnovers in just four games. The only team that has forced more is Mississippi State with 14 but has played an extra game.

Notre Dame has answered a lot of early questions on the defensive end coming into the season. The overall power and constancy of this unit will be too much for Bowling Green to overcome leading to Notre Dame’s first shutout since 2014.