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Notre Dame football: 3 Keys to victory against Cincinnati in Week 5

By Brad Weiss

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Jarrett Patterson #55 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish snaps the ball during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 23: Jarrett Patterson #55 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish snaps the ball during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium on November 23, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Boston College 40-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 25: Drew Pyne #10 of the Notre Dame Football passes over Jack Sanborn #57 of the Wisconsin Badgers at Soldier Field on September 25, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois. Notre Dame defeated Wisconsin 41-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The Notre Dame football team takes on Cincinnati in Week 5, and here are three keys to victory against the Bearcats on Saturday afternoon.

In what could prove to be the biggest game of the season, the Notre Dame football team will play host to the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday inside Notre Dame Stadium. The Bearcats and Irish have not lost a game this season, so something has to give this weekend in this top-10 matchup.

If the Irish are to win, these are the three keys to victory for them on Saturday.

Notre Dame football: 3 Keys to victory against Cincinnati in Week 5

Protect the quarterback

It may sound obvious, but if the Irish are to beat the Bearcats on Saturday, whoever is under center needs time for things to develop. Not only do the Bearcats have some elite edge rushers, but they also have elite cornerbacks, which could make things a problem for Jack Coan, Drew Pyne, or Tyler Buchner.

The offensive line has been awful this season, especially early in games, and that cannot happen on Saturday against a team of this caliber. The Bearcats have an offense that can score at any time, so giving them the ball back time and time again after struggling on offense could lead to a long day for the Irish in this one.

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