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Notre Dame Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Duke

By Chase Eyrich

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 26: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks for yards during a second half run against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 45-14. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 26: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks for yards during a second half run against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 45-14. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball against the USC Trojans in the second half of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Ian Book looks like a star

After the Michigan game, Ian Book took a ton of criticism. While it comes with the territory of being the quarterback at Notre Dame, Book had to take it on himself and silence the talks of him being benched.

While it wasn’t the cleanest of games, Book put on a bounce-back performance to show everyone he deserves his spot. Book threw for 341 yards on 29 completions and scored the game-winning touchdown with his feet against Virginia Tech.

This week should be no different. The Irish may have to rely on him just as much.

Running back Jafar Armstrong is back and Kelly seems hopeful that Tony Jones Jr. will be active as well, but it’s unclear how much he would be used.

Last week the Irish settled for just 108 yards on the ground.

This plays directly into Duke’s hands. Their front seven is nothing to play around with. Even if Armstrong and Jones are good to go, their impact could be very limited.

The secondary on the other hand is a different story. There are still plenty of impact players in Duke’s secondary, but Notre Dame has the advantage.

Duke has been giving up 206 yards through the air this season, while the Irish are averaging over 255.

Book has earned his confidence back and played with a bit of swagger last week that we haven’t seen that much this season. With 341 passing yards against Virginia Tech, 118 of them went to Chase Claypool who had just as much to do with the game-winning drive as Book did.

It likely will not be from short throws. Expect Book to hit his targets deep downfield and make plays to keep things moving. With tall receivers like Claypool and huge athletes like Cole Kmet, Book will be able to look like a star against Duke.

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