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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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Sep 18, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Jerome Ford (24) gestures after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Jerome Ford (24) gestures after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Keep Jerome Ford under 100 yards rushing

The Cincinnati Bearcats have a pretty balanced offense, as they not only have a legitimate first-round pick at quarterback but also a bruising running back. In fact, Jerome Ford is having a breakout season for the Bearcats, this after coming over from Alabama a few years back, and playing sparingly last season.

In 2021, he has already rushed for 300 yards, is averaging six yards per carry, and has found the end zone six times. He has become a perfect compliment to Desmond Ridder and this passing game for Cincinnati, and if he gets it going on Saturday, this is going to be an offense that is going to be very hard to stop.

The key for the Irish would be keeping Ford under wraps, utilizing some of the bright spots we saw late in the game against Wisconsin, and forcing the Bearcats to be one-dimensional on offense. Of course, they have a quarterback who could thrive in that situation, but that still does not mean keeping Ford quiet won’t be huge for the Irish on Saturday.

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