Notre Dame football: 3 Bold predictions vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama Won’t Sack Ian Book
Notre Dame has heavily hinted at a game plan based on the running game and ball control, so they’ll likely lean on their offensive line in an attempt to keep the game as low scoring as possible, while still putting up points on every drive. Of course, there will still be dropbacks to pass for Book, where he needs to be accurate and aggressive to scare Alabama.
Running the ball consistently will also help to avoid mistakes like turnovers or taking a sack, so that’s exactly what will happen. Notre Dame will not let Ian Book get sacked at all against Alabama, as the Irish offensive line is better than the Alabama defensive line.
Add in that run-first approach, and Alabama won’t even have many opportunities to sack Book.
Book is also an elite rushing threat, as he’s elusive and creates when he needs to create. This elusiveness will help him avoid the rush and get the ball out of his hands when issues do come up, which they inevitably will. Running back Kyren Williams is also elite in blitz pickup, which should clean up blitzing linebackers.
Next. Notre Dame football: What the Irish offense can learn from Florida. dark
The one question is whether or not the offensive line can pick up blitzes better than they did against Clemson. They were confused and overwhelmed in the ACC Championship Game, and can’t allow that to happen again. With an extended period to prepare for Alabama, this elite offensive line should be ready, though.