Notre Dame football: 5 bold predictions for the Florida State game

Notre Dame football: 5 bold predictions for the Florida State game

2. Michael Mayer Catches 2 Touchdowns

Notre Dame’s offense is unique from a lot of the modern spread offenses in college football. Instead, the Irish like to run the ball behind pin and pulling lineman and the zone blocking scheme that has helped Notre Dame thrive in recent years. There have also been issues stretching the ball downfield.

However, this offense is also heavily reliant on two-tight end sets and uses them extensively in the passing and blocking schemes.

Michael Mayer is far and away the team’s top tight end heading into the 2021 season. The sophomore is a massive tight end who came to be known as “Little Gronk” last season. The first team Freshman All-American had 42 catches for 450 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Expect Mayer to reach that 2020 touchdown total over the course of one game in Tallahassee.

Mayer, now with another year in the weight room and the system, is going to be a dominant force. In particular, on Notre Dame’s long drives he is going to become a dominant red-zone threat. As the Florida State front seven try to crash down and stop the smashmouth running game, Mayer can slip behind the defense.

This will be even more effective on play-action fakes. Then, when you consider that Florida State doesn’t have a safety or corner who match up physically, and it’s only right to expect a massive game from Mayer.