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Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs Duke

By Connor McJunkin

ATHENS, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Brian Kelly looks on during warmups prior to playing the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Brian Kelly looks on during warmups prior to playing the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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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) /

O-Line Shuffle

This year’s team has been no stranger to dealing with injuries and having the next man step up in key positions throughout the roster. After being one of the more relatively healthy position groups all season, the offensive line has taken two tough blows the last two weeks.

During the Michigan game, guard Tommy Kraemer suffered a knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season and last week, right tackle Robert Hainsey suffered a fractured ankle and won’t see the field again this year.

After Kraemer’s injury, senior Trevor Ruhland got the start at guard last week and is listed as the starter again going into this week’s game. Replacing Hainsey at tackle will be Josh Lugg.

If another lineman is to get hurt (knocks violently on the wood of my desk), then the o-line shuffle gets a little interesting, with Colin Grunhard and Dillan Gibbons available in a pinch.  Brian Kelly stated he’d rather not play his true freshman Andrew Kristofic if it can be avoided.

The offensive line has somewhat under-performed all season, and has been a disappointing element of the offense after returning almost every contributor from last year. Now, with two of their better road graders out, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the game plan and overall, how it impacts the game.

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