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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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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – OCTOBER 05: Bryson Denley #12 of the Bowling Green Falcons is tackled in the first half by Asmar Bilal #22 and Drew White #40 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 05, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Hokies offense held to under 200 total yards

Virginia Tech is coming into this game able to reap a benefit that many of Notre Dame’s opponents have also been able to — the bye week. Not only does it give them extra time to game plan and prep, but also to get healthy.

Issues with the latter have eliminated some of those benefits.

Injuries have been such an issue for the Hokies that a quarterback battle has emerged from it.

The Hokies started the season off with Ryan Willis under center, but after a few games, they realized how the tight ends were being underutilized. Soon it would be Hendon Hooker who would take over on October 5th versus Miami. He would go on to earn three straight wins.

Hooker has completed 35-of-61 passes throwing 57 percent for 580 yards. Seven touchdowns and zero interceptions have kept him on the positive side with the Virginia Tech faithful.

While he was on pace to continue his success, a knee injury removed him from their contest versus North Carolina. Ryan Willis and Quincy Patterson stepped in to fill his void, leading the Hokies to a 43-41 victory in a six-overtime thriller.

While many still weren’t impressed with Willis, the conversation has come up about Patterson’s potential to make an impact.

After his injury, it wasn’t until earlier this week that Virginia Tech knew Hooker would be available. This has left their offense up in the air between three quarterbacks and eliminating their ability to use the bye week in its fullest to prepare for the Irish.

Last weekend, the Irish were completely embarrassed in the second half of the game on the defensive side of the ball.

This is a unit that came into the season with high expectations, and for the most part has fulfilled them with the exception of working through a few different rotations. The Michigan game, on the other hand, snowballed completely out of control.

Next. If Irish players were horror characters. dark

Expect them to be hungry to prove themselves and their identity this weekend, holding Virginia Tech to under 200 offensive yards.

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