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Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech Gameday Primer

By Mason Plummer

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws a pass against the USC Trojans in the first half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 12: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws a pass against the USC Trojans in the first half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws a pass against the USC Trojans in the first half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

After a drubbing at the hands of hated rival Michigan, can Notre Dame rebound and get a win against Virginia Tech? Let’s break down the game and find out.

If you sat and watched that entire game last Saturday, you’re a better man than I. That was one of the worst performances I have seen from a Notre Dame team in my lifetime. I know we are already a week past that game and no one wants to hear the negativity anymore, but I had to throw, in my two cents because I was too disappointed to write anything this week.

Moving on, let’s break down today’s game between the Irish and the Hokies.

Kickoff: 2:30 pm EST

Channel: NBC

Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

Line: Notre Dame -17.5

Weather: At kickoff it will be 38 degrees with 78 percent humidity. The forecast shows the chance of rain at 30 percent, but snow showers are likely in the morning. Winds will be coming out of the W at 14 mph.

Series history: 1-1.

Top storylines: 

  • Can Notre Dame rebound against a good Virginia Tech team? That is the question on everyone’s mind heading into the game today. The Notre Dame team that showed up in Ann Arbor last Saturday was a shell of the real team. Notre Dame cannot afford another loss like that, especially at home if it wants to hang on to this season being a ‘success’.
  • Will Notre Dame fight, or will it quit? Fans of the Irish have seen past teams do both. The team in 2016 simply quit after some losses. The 2017 team fought after losses and still had a successful season. We will see what this team is truly made of this afternoon.
  • Lastly, the betting line. Having the betting line set favoring Notre Dame by over 17 points blows my mind. The Irish are much better at home, but that is a lot of points to win by — especially when you consider this is a very solid VA Tech team that has been ranked this season and holds the same record as ND (5-2).

Injury report: 

  • Notre Dame senior OL Tommy Kraemer suffered a sprained MCL against Michigan and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. It is likely that he will not play again this season.
  • Notre Dame senior RB Tony Jones Jr. suffered a rib cartilage injury against Michigan, but should be able to play against Virginia Tech.
  • Virginia Tech OL T.J. Jackson is listed as questionable with a foot injury.
  • Virginia Tech WR Tre Turner is listed as questionable with a lower body injury.
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