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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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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 26: Hassan Haskins #25 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to get around the tackle of Alohi Gilman #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a first half run at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Key Defensive Player for Virginia: Dax Hollifield, LB

This Virginia Tech defense is a very young one that lost a ton of talent to graduation and is now being led by sophomore LB Dax Hollifield.

First of all, what a name. Second, this guy can play.

Rated by 247 as a 4-star LB and the No.8 ILB in the country, Hollifield was a very highly rated recruit and he is showing why. On the season, he has tallied 38 tackles (8 solo) and a forced fumble. Hollifield is in on seemingly every play and is always flying around to the ball and hitting people hard.

Hollifield is a guy that will play on Sundays without a doubt and his talent will be on display today for a Hokies defense that has been rough and is trying to turn things around.

Key Defensive Player for Notre Dame: The entire Notre Dame defense

While the offense certainly did not help them out, the Notre Dame defense was horrible last Saturday and must rebound.

While Michigan is a very solid team with great players and it was a rivalry game, there is no reason that Notre Dame should allow 300+ rushing yards to any team with the talent on that team, and especially on the defensive line.

The defensive end position was supposed to be one of the best position groups for Notre Dame and really was supposed to be one of the better positions group in the country. Julian Okwara and Khalid Kareem were touted as two of the best DE in the country and through 7 games played, both have been average at best.

Next. Key Offensive Matchups vs. Virginia Tech. dark

The defensive ends are not the only ones that need to improve, and Clark Lea knows that. The defense should come out like mad dogs today after they were embarrassed against Michigan. You’d love to see them get their aggression out and really lay it on VA Tech today.

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