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Notre Dame Football: Three bold predictions vs. Virginia Tech

By Chase Eyrich

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate after the game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate after the game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Tony Jones Jr. #6 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks for yards during a first quarter run against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The Irish beat the spread

The spread is currently set at 16.5. That’s not unrealstic, but hard to get to. Who knows where a football game can go? Michigan was only a one-point favorite last week and early on it looked like the Irish might get shutout in a game that ended lopsided enough.

Notre Dame has the right mindset heading into this weekend according to Kelly. The Irish came into the season with one long-term goal — make a return to the College Football Playoff. That goal has been wiped away with five games left on the schedule.

That’s something that could completely derail a team. It’s also something that’s completely familiar to the Irish.

In 2014 the Irish start off the season 6-0, ranked 5th in the nation and sights locked on a National Championship. A loss that came in a controversial last play in the game vs. No. 2 Florida State left the Irish shook. The second half of the season was a complete collapse, as Notre Dame lost five of their last six regular-season games.

This time, Kelly is trying to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself. Instead of focusing on the postseason, their emphasis has been directed towards short-term goals.

Execution and discipline were two of the factors that Kelly mentioned the team will focus on each and every week.

Much of that discipline falls on the false starts that have plagued the Irish this season. On the other hand, the execution is more of a prevalent issue. Notre Dame was unable to execute anything they tried last weekend.

If the Irish are able to fix those issues, covering the spread vs. Virginia Tech shouldn’t be a problem.

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