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Notre Dame football vs. Cincinnati Bearcats: 3 things to watch for in Week 5

By Brad Weiss

Dec 5, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) congratulates running back Chris Tyree (25) after his fourth quarter touchdown against the Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) congratulates running back Chris Tyree (25) after his fourth quarter touchdown against the Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Notre Dame Football running back Kyren Williams (23) gains yardage during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Notre Dame Football running back Kyren Williams (23) gains yardage during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Notre Dame football team takes on the Cincinnati Bearcats in Week 5, and here are three things to watch for in the matchup.

The Notre Dame football team has a huge matchup this weekend against the Cincinnati Bearcats, as both teams are currently ranked in the top-10. This could be the final big test for the Irish on their schedule, and if they want to make it back to the College Football Playoff, they cannot afford a single loss this season.

Here, we take a look at three things to watch during the top-10 battle inside Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame football vs. Cincinnati Bearcats: 3 things to watch

Can the Irish get the running going

It has been a strange season for Kyren Williams, the redshirt running back who burst onto the scene last season, rushing for over 1,100 yards. In 2021, the Irish offense has yet to get the ground game going in any game, as the makeshift offensive line has looked overmatched at times.

Against Cincinnati, they have to find a way to break out of this slump, as the goal should be to control the clock, and keep Desmond Ridder off the field. Chris Tyree made his presence felt in the return game last week, and Williams has had a few nice runs this season, but overall, they have been rendered ineffective toting the rock.

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