Notre Dame football vs. Cincinnati Bearcats: 3 Irish players to watch

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts to tackle running back Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts to tackle running back Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers in the second quarter during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) reels in a 36-yard touchdown pass while being covered by Wisconsin cornerback Faion Hicks (1) during the second quarter of their game Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Notre Dame footballUwgrid26 2
Notre Dame football wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) reels in a 36-yard touchdown pass while being covered by Wisconsin cornerback Faion Hicks (1) during the second quarter of their game Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Notre Dame footballUwgrid26 2 /

If the Notre Dame football team is to come away with the victory on Saturday, these three members of the Irish have to step up in a big way.

In a matchup of two teams ranked in the top-10, the Notre Dame football team will play host to the Cincinnati Bearcats in Week 5. The Bearcats come into this game with an unblemished record and have been dominating their competition, but this is by far the best team on their schedule this season.

For the Irish, they are coming off a blowout victory against Wisconsin, and are hoping to take the momentum from that game into this one. If they are going to win, these are the three Irish players to keep an eye on.

Notre Dame football vs. Cincinnati Bearcats: 3 Irish players to watch

Kevin Austin Jr., Wide Receiver

Against Wisconsin, Kevin Austin Jr. made his presence felt in the passing game, hauling in two touchdowns, and proving to be a real threat down the field. Against Cincinnati, he needs to have the same kind of impact, especially if the Irish cannot get the run game going, as has been the case all season long.

No matter who the quarterback is on Saturday, they have to try and get things going downfield, which is going to open up the run game, and the intermediate passing attack with tight end Michael Mayer. Austin Jr. has proven to be a real weapon this season, and with how good Cincinnati is in the secondary, him making plays could go a long in an Irish victory in Week 5.