Notre Dame Football: Picks, predictions for the Louisville game

Notre Dame football stats, rankings, picks, and predictions for their game against the Lousiville Cardinals.

The Notre Dame football team is 3-0 and ranked fourth in the latest AP Poll. This weekend they will be favored by 17 points when they host a talented Louisville team. Here is how some of our writers at Slap the Sign see that game playing out.

Notre Dame football will play their fourth-straight home game this Saturday when they welcome the Louisville Cardinals (1-3, 0-3) to South Bend.

The Cardinals have an explosive offense with a handful of playmakers. Quarterback Malik Cunningham has accounted for 12 touchdowns in their first four games. He is averaging 8 yards per pass attempt.

Running backs Javian Hawkins and Hassan Hall are both averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Wide receivers Tutu Atwell and Dez Fitzpatrick are averaging 11.2 and 18 yards per catch, respectively.

Louisville will definitely prove to be a tough test for Clark Lea’s defense, who did not have their best performance last weekend against Florida State.

Some of Notre Dame’s defensive struggles could be attributed to players missing time due to COVID-19 protocols. The Irish should have their full roster available to them this weekend and look sharper on the defensive side of the ball.

Notre Dame is currently favored to win this game by 17 points.

Here is how some of our writers see the game playing out.

Carlee North

The Irish offense should have no problem against this Louisville defense. Ian Book should look as poised as he did against Florida State, if not more so, considering the struggling secondary he will be facing. The Notre Dame defense will definitely have their hands full with the Louisville offense’s speed, but I don’t think that will be enough to put the final result in doubt. As long as the Irish play their game on both sides of the ball and limit big plays, they should remain undefeated. I can see this being a close game early, but the Irish will pull away in the second half. Notre Dame 48, Louisville 23.

Andrew Hall

Notre Dame struggled last week, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. With the entire team back and practicing, the Irish will have their best performance of the year and will roll to victory against a struggling Louisville squad. Notre Dame 41, Louisville 17.

Daniel Morrison

Louisville is better than their record indicates. They run the ball well. The Notre Dame defense will need to force quarterback Malik Cunningham to throw the ball. The Cardinals’ defense doesn’t have the talent to compete with the Irish offense, especially in the trenches. Notre Dame 34, Louisville 20.

Jack Leniart

The Louisville offense is basically a better version of the Florida State offense we saw last weekend. The Cardinals have an elusive dual-threat quarterback, a true number one wide receiver, and a handful of other playmakers at the skill positions.

While I expect Clark Lea’s defense to play better than they did last weekend, it will be challenging to keep this team out of the end zone. On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame has a clear advantage.

The Irish offensive line has been one of the best units in the country. They should have no problem creating running lanes for Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree against this Louisville front seven. Notre Dame should win comfortably, but I don’t think they cover the 17-point spread. Notre Dame 38, Louisville 24.